WO2002099604A2 - Interactive internet shopping and data integration method and system - Google Patents

Interactive internet shopping and data integration method and system Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002099604A2
WO2002099604A2 PCT/US2002/018442 US0218442W WO02099604A2 WO 2002099604 A2 WO2002099604 A2 WO 2002099604A2 US 0218442 W US0218442 W US 0218442W WO 02099604 A2 WO02099604 A2 WO 02099604A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
grocery
grocery item
user
item
list
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2002/018442
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2002099604A3 (en
Inventor
Cstephani D. Owens
Original Assignee
Owens Cstephani D
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=26860461&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=WO2002099604(A2) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Owens Cstephani D filed Critical Owens Cstephani D
Priority to EP02739824A priority Critical patent/EP1419464A4/en
Priority to AU2002312450A priority patent/AU2002312450A1/en
Priority to CA002452722A priority patent/CA2452722A1/en
Publication of WO2002099604A2 publication Critical patent/WO2002099604A2/en
Publication of WO2002099604A3 publication Critical patent/WO2002099604A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/02Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/02Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • G06Q30/0207Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
    • G06Q30/0239Online discounts or incentives
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/02Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • G06Q30/0241Advertisements
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/02Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • G06Q30/0241Advertisements
    • G06Q30/0277Online advertisement
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/06Buying, selling or leasing transactions
    • G06Q30/0601Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/06Buying, selling or leasing transactions
    • G06Q30/0601Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
    • G06Q30/0613Third-party assisted
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/06Buying, selling or leasing transactions
    • G06Q30/0601Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
    • G06Q30/0623Item investigation
    • G06Q30/0625Directed, with specific intent or strategy
    • G06Q30/0629Directed, with specific intent or strategy for generating comparisons
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/06Buying, selling or leasing transactions
    • G06Q30/0601Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
    • G06Q30/0633Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to shopping for goods and services, and more particularly, to a method and system for interactively shopping for groceries, especially on the Internet, where the user, among other things, is offered the opportunity to create a shopping list, shop for items from the list at one or more selected Grocery Storey stores, arrange for pick up or delivery of the selected items and payment, print the list, or download the list into a personal digital assistant or like device for use in the store, etc.
  • the Internet is a global network of computers.
  • the World Wide Web contains computers that display graphical and textual information.
  • Computers that provide information on the World Wide Web are typically called "Web sites.”
  • a Web site is defined by an Internet address that has an associated electronic page, often called a "home page.”
  • a home page is an electronic document that organizes the presentation of text, graphical images, audio and video into a desired display.
  • These Web sites are operated by a wide variety of entities, which are typically called "providers.”
  • a user may access the Internet via a dedicated high-speed line or by using a personal computer (PC) equipped with a conventional modem or a variety of other wired and wireless devices.
  • Special interface software called “browser” software, is installed within the PC or other access device.
  • an attached modem is automatically instructed to dial the telephone number associated with the local Internet host server. The user can then access information at any address accessible over the Internet.
  • Two well-known web browsers for example, are the Netscape Navigator browser marketed by Netscape Communications Corporation and the Internet Explorer browser marketed by Microsoft Corporation.
  • HTML HyperText Mark-up Language
  • the HTML format is a scripting language that is used to generate the home pages for different content providers.
  • a content provider is an individual or company that places information (content) on the Internet so that others can access it.
  • the HTML format is a set of conventions for marking different portions of a document so that each portion appears in a distinctive format. For example, the HTML format identifies or "tags" portions of a document to identify different categories of text (e.g., the title, header, body text, etc.).
  • the web browser accesses an HTML document, the web browser reads the embedded tags in the document so it appears formatted in the specified manner.
  • An HTML document can also include hyperlinks, which allow a user to move from one document to another document on the Internet.
  • a hyperlink is an underlined or otherwise emphasized portion of text that, when selected using an input device such as a mouse, activates a software connection module that allows the user to jump between documents or pages (i.e., within the same Web site or to otlier Web sites).
  • Hyperlinks are well known in the art, and have been sometimes referred to as anchors. The act of selecting the hyperlink is often referred to as "clicking on" the hyperlink.
  • Some grocery shopping utilizing Internet-based web sites has been available for five or more years, allowing the user to select and purchase for delivery, or pick up, items offered by retailers.
  • these web sites have either been specific to a particular retailer, traditional or web-based, or, more recently, for a limited number of retailers in a particular geographic area.
  • users have frequently been unwilling to use these methods for their routine grocery shopping. For example, users must utilize a cumbersome and rigidly structured hierarchical menu to select items for purchase. This approach is counter to the way most people approach grocery shopping, identifying items individually or by relatedness, such as selecting ingredients from a recipe.
  • users have been unable to price-compare like items between stores, making it difficult to decide where to shop.
  • users often wish to price-compare brands in the same store quickly, a feature not heretofore readily provided.
  • Internet grocery shopping has based its revenue generation on delivery fees and charging more for the products purchased by the user.
  • Most, if not all, grocers create separate warehouses for their Internet-based grocery establishments, and therefore, offer a limited selection of items at a higher cost to the user.
  • this arrangement has been largely unsuccessful. Further evidence of the difficulties with existing methods has been the limited number of users attracted to grocery shopping on the Internet.
  • users have not been presented with opportunities to utilize other tools to make the shopping effort more efficient and effective.
  • users have had to manually maintain reminders, capture items for purchase on scraps of paper or elsewhere to reuse what they need. They have been required to transcribe items required from their own recipes and meal plans onto the previously available web sites. Similarly, they have been required to transcribe quantities from recipes, meal plans and weekly menu plans which can be time consuming and result in items being missed.
  • the user may elect to have coupons related to the products selected for purchase downloaded for printing or downloaded to the user's "savings card" for the Grocery Store where the selected products will be purchased.
  • receiving coupons for the selected items is an automatic feature which saves the user time by eliminating the extra effort to create the list by reviewing and selecting coupons; the user automatically receives all available coupons applicable to their purchases.
  • this invention makes available certain diet plans for review and reference by the user, and if the user chooses, to have a selected diet plan's criteria, such as low fat, low salt or specified products, to be used to suggest items as the user selects products based on their shopping list; and, in this manner, the user's grocery list can be filtered (by computer) by dietary requirements and items best matched to the user's needs by the system. And it is a further object and feature hereof to permit the user to view nutritional-content labels for products without having to create a shopping list.
  • a selected diet plan's criteria such as low fat, low salt or specified products
  • kiosks are provided within the store for use by customers to do those things of the system of this invention at the store that they might do at their home computer.
  • this invention provides
  • Internet web site shopping method and system comprising: database means for storing at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; database means for storing information describing at least two unrelated grocery stores; computer processor means for relating at least one particular grocery item to at least one grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; interface means for user selecting of such at least two unrelated grocery stores; interface means for user selecting of such at least one grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; computer processor means for presenting such comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item available in such selected at least two grocery stores related to such selected at least one grocery item general description; and interface means for user selecting of such at least one particular grocery item to be purchased at such at least one selected grocery store.
  • this invention provides such a system comprising: computer processor means for adding such selected at least one grocery item general description to at least one shopping list; database means for storing such at least one shopping list; interface means for user selecting of such at least one shopping list; interface means for user selecting such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one shopping list; and computer processor means for removing such at least on grocery item general description from such at least one shopping list.
  • this invention provides such a system further comprising: computer processor means for receiving at least one recipe from at least one grocery item manufacturer; database means for storing such at least one recipe; computer processor means for displaying such at least one recipe; interface means for user inputting of such at least one recipe; computer processor means for adding such at least one grocery item general description to such at least one recipe; computer processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item to such at least one recipe; interface means for user selecting of such at least one recipe; computer processor means for adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one recipe to such at least one shopping list; and computer processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one recipe to such at least one shopping list.
  • Such a system further comprising: interface means for user inputting of menu plans; database means for storing menu plans; computer processor means for adding such at least one meal plan to such at least one menu plan; interface means for user selecting of such at least one menu plan; computer processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list; and computer processor means for adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list.
  • this invention provides such a system further comprising: computer processor means for receiving such information describing such at least two unrelated grocery stores; and, also, further comprising: computer processor means for receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, such at least one particular grocery item comparison information; and computer processor means for receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, shelf location information related to such at least one particular grocery item.
  • computer processor means for adding such selected at least one particular grocery item to at least one purchases list computer processor means for transferring such at least one purchases list to such selected at least one grocery store; and interface means for permitting user access to at least one shopping web site for such selected at least one grocery store.
  • this invention provides such a system wherein such interface means for user selecting of such at least two grocery stores comprises: interface means for user selecting of at least one preferred shopping area; and interface means for user selecting of such at least two unrelated grocery stores within such at least one preferred shopping area; and, also, further comprising computer processor means for receiving such information describing such at least two unrelated grocery stores; ans, also, further comprising: computer processor means for receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, such at least one particular grocery item comparison information; and computer processor means for receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, shelf location information related to such at least one particular grocery item.
  • Such a system further comprising: computer processor means for adding such selected at least one particular grocery item to at least one purchases list; computer processor means for transferring such at least one purchases list to such selected at least one grocery store; and interface means for permitting user access to at least one shopping web site for such selected at least one grocery store; and, also, further comprising computer processor means for transferring such at least one purchases list to at least one PDA; and, also, further comprising printer means for printing such at least one purchases list; and, also, further comprising computer processor means for saving such at least one purchases list as such at least one shopping list.
  • the present invention provides such a system further comprising: computer processor means for saving such at least one purchases list as at least one pantry list; database means for storing such at least one pantry list; interface means for user selecting of such at least one particular grocery item to be added to such at least one pantry list; interface means for user selecting of such at least one particular grocery item to be removed from such at least one pantry list; interface means for user selecting of such at least one particular pantry list; and computer processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one pantry list to such at least one shopping list.
  • Such a system further comprising: interface means for user designating of such at least one particular grocery item included in such at least one purchases list as a charitable donation; and computer processor means for transferring such charitable donation information to such at least one such selected at least one grocery store; and, also, further comprising: interface means for registering such at least one user; database means for storing demographic information of such at least one user; and computer processor means for recording such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user.
  • this invention provides such a system further comprising: computer processor means for receiving at least one grocery item manufacturers ' coupon related to such at least one particular grocery item; computer processor means for storing such at least one grocery item manufacturer ' s coupon information related to such at least one particular grocery item; interface means for displaying such at least one grocery item manufacturer' s coupons related to such at least one particular grocery item; computer processor means for transferring such at least one grocery item manufacturer' s coupons related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user to such selected at least one grocery store; computer processor transferring such at least one grocery item manufacturer ' s coupon related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user to at least one PDA; and printer means printing such at least one grocery item manufacturer ' s coupon related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user.
  • Such a system further comprising: computer processor means for receiving at least one diet plan; database means for storing such at least one diet plan; computer processor means for receiving at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; database means for storing such at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; interface means for user selecting of such at least one diet plan; computer processor means for relating such at least one dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet plan to such at least one particular grocery item; and computer processor means for presenting such at least one particular grocery item related to both such at least one dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet plan and to such selected at least one grocery item general description ahead of such at least one particular grocery item related only to such selected at least one grocery item general description.
  • Such a system comprising: computer processor means for receiving advertising information; computer processor means for relating such advertising information to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase; and computer processor means for presenting to such at least one user such advertising information related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase.
  • this invention provides Internet web site shopping method and system comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of at least two unrelated grocery stores in at least one geographic area to provide descriptive grocery store information for such at least two grocery stores; making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to provide comparison information for at least one particular grocery item for at least two grocery stores; storing at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; retrieving from such at least two unrelated grocery stores such grocery store description information; retrieving from such at least two grocery stores such comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item; storing linkage between at least one such grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of such plurality of such grocery item general descriptions and such comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item; permitting user selection of such at least two unrelated grocery stores; permitting user selection of such at least one grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; displaying such comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item available in such selected at least two grocery stores related
  • this invention provides such a system wherein the step of permitting user selection of such at least two unrelated grocery stores further comprises the steps of: permitting user selection of at least one preferred shopping area; and permitting user selection of such at least two unrelated grocery stores within such at least one preferred shopping area. And it provides such a system wherein the step of permitting user selection of such at least one grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions further comprises the steps of: adding such selected at least one grocery item general description to at least one shopping list; and storing such at least one shopping list. It also provides such a system further comprising the steps of: permitting user selection of such at least one shopping list; and permitting user selection of such at least one grocery item general description from selected such at least one shopping list.
  • a system further comprising the steps of: recruiting such at least one user; registering such at least one user; storing demographic information of such at least one user; and recording such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user as user purchases history. And it provides such a system further comprising the step of making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery store to receive such user purchases history. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to provide compensation for receiving such user purchases history; and malcing arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to provide compensation for display of such at least one particular grocery item available at such at least two unrelated grocery stores.
  • this invention provides such a system further comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to accept such at least one purchases list containing such selected at least one particular grocery item; making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to accept at least one user discount card enrollment information; and making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to allow such at least one user access to grocery shopping web sites of such at least two unrelated grocery stores.
  • it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide nutrition labeling information for such at least one particular grocery item; and making arrangements with management of at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide at least one recipe prepared by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer.
  • Such a system further comprising the steps of: retrieving such nutrition labeling information for such at least one particular grocery item; displaying such nutrition labeling information for such selected at least one particular grocery item; making arrangements with management of such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to receive user purchases history; and making arrangements with management of such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide compensation for receiving such user purchases history; and making arrangements with management of such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide compensation for presenting such recipe prepared by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer.
  • Such a system further comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of at least one coupon clearinghouse to provide coupon information related to such at least one particular grocery item; retrieving such coupon information from such at least one coupon clearinghouse related to such selected such at least one particular grocery item; displaying such coupon information from such at least one coupon clearinghouse related to such selected such at least one particular grocery item; making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to accept such coupon information related to such selected such at least one particular grocery item; making arrangements with such management of such at least one coupon clearinghouse to receive such user purchases history; and making arrangements with management of such at least one particular grocery coupon clearing house to provide compensation for providing such user purchases history.
  • Such a system further comprising the step of transferring such at least one such coupon information to at least one PDA; and, also, further comprising the step of printing such at least one such coupon information; and, also, further comprising the step of making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to associate such coupon information related to such selected at least one particular grocery item with such at least one user discount card.
  • Such a system further comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of at least one Diet Plan Provider to use at least one diet plan; making arrangements with management of at least one Diet Plan Provider to provide general plan information related to such at least one diet plan; making arrangements with management of at least one Diet Plan Provider to provide at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; receiving such general plan information related to such at least one diet plan; receiving such at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; storing such general plan information related to such at least one diet plan; storing such at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; permitting user selection of such at least one diet plan; relating such at least one dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet plan to such at least one particular grocery item; presenting such at least one particular grocery item related to both such at least one dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet plan and to such at least one grocery item general description ahead of such at least one particular grocery item related only to such at least one grocery item general description; making arrangements with such
  • Diet Plan Provider to provide compensation for providing such user purchases history. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of at least one advertising server to receive advertising information related to grocery shopping; making arrangements with management of at least one advertising server to receive advertising information related to such at least one particular grocery item; presenting such advertising information related to grocery shopping; presenting such advertising information related to such at least one particular grocery item relating to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase; permitting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item related to such advertising information related to such at least one particular grocery item; and adding such selected at least one particular grocery item to such at least one shopping list.
  • this invention provides such a system further comprising the steps of: saving such at least one purchases list as such at least one pantry list; storing such at least one pantry list; permitting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item to be added to such at least one pantry list; permitting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item to be removed from such at least one pantry list; permitting user selection of such at least one particular pantry list; and adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one pantry list to such at least one shopping list.
  • Such a system further comprising the steps of: permitting user selection of such at least one shopping list; permitting user selection of at least one such particular grocery item from such selected shopping list; permitting user selection of such at least one grocery store; adding such plurality of grocery items to purchases list for such selected grocery store; and storing such at least one purchases list for such selected grocery store.
  • Such a system further comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of at least two unrelated grocery stores to accept charitable donation information related to such at least one particular grocery item; permitting user designation of such at least one particular grocery item included in such at least one purchases list as a charitable donation; and transferring such charitable donation information to such at least one grocery store.
  • Such a system further comprising the steps of: permitting user input of at least one user recipe; permitting user addition of such at least one grocery item general description to such at least one user recipe; permitting user addition of such at least one particular grocery item to such at least one user recipe; permitting user selection of such at least one user recipe; adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one user recipe to such at least one shopping list; and adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one user recipe to such at least one shopping list.
  • Such a system further comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide nutrition labeling information for such at least one particular grocery item; and making arrangements with management of at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide at least one recipe prepared by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer.
  • this invention provides such a system further comprising the steps of: displaying such at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer; permitting user selection of such at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer; permitting user modification of such selected at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer; permitting user saving modified such selected at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer as such at least one user recipe; adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to such at least one shopping list; and adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to such at least one shopping list.
  • Such a system further comprising the steps of: permitting user inputting of at least one meal plan; storing such at least one meal plan; permitting user selection of such at least one user recipe; adding of such selected at least one user recipe to such at least one meal plan; permitting user selection of such at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer; adding such selected at least one recipe prepared by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to such at least one meal plan; permitting user addition of such at least one grocery item general description to such at least one meal plan; permitting user addition of such at least one particular grocery item to such at least one meal plan; permitting user selection of such at least one meal plan; permitting user addition of such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one meal plan to such at least one shopping list; and permitting user addition of such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one meal plan to such at least one shopping list.
  • Such a system further comprising the steps of: permitting user input of at least one menu plan; storing such at least one menu plan; permitting user addition of such at least one meal plan to such at least one menu plan; permitting user selection of such at least one menu plan; adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list; and adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list.
  • comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item comprises grocery item manufacturer UPC coding for such at least one particular grocery item; and price information such at least one particular grocery item; and, also, wherein comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item further comprises grocery store shelf location information such at least one particular grocery item; and, also, further comprising the step of transferring such at least one purchases list to at least one PDA; and, also further comprising the step of printing such at least one purchases list.
  • this invention provides a computer software system having a set of instructions for an Internet web site shopping system, such instructions enabling the steps of: storing at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; storing information describing at least two unrelated grocery stores; relating at least one particular grocery item to at least one grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; storing, for each of such at least two unrelated grocery stores, comparison information relating to such at least one particular grocery item; assisting user selection of such at least two unrelated grocery stores; assisting selecting of such at least one grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; presenting such comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item available in such selected at least two grocery stores related to such selected at least one grocery item general description; and assisting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item to be purchased at such at least one selected grocery store.
  • Such a system further comprising: adding such selected at least one grocery item general description to at least one shopping list; storing such at least one shopping list; assisting user selection of such at least one shopping list; assisting user selection such at least one grocery item general description from selected such at least one shopping list; and removing such at least on grocery item general description from such at least one shopping list.
  • Such a system 2 further comprising: receiving at least one recipe from at least one grocery item manufacturer; storing such at least one recipe; displaying such at least one recipe; assisting user input of such at least one recipe; adding such at least one grocery item general description to such at least one recipe; adding such at least one particular grocery item to such at least one recipe; assisting user selection of such at least one recipe; adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one recipe to such at least one shopping list; and adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one recipe to such at least one shopping list.
  • this invention provides such a system further comprising: assisting user input of meal plans; storing meal plans; adding such at least one recipe to such at least one meal plan; adding such at least one grocery item general description to such at least one meal plan; adding such at least one particular grocery item to such at least one meal plan; assisting user selection of such at least one meal plan; adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one meal plan to such at least one shopping list; and adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one meal plan to such at least one shopping list.
  • Such a system further comprising: assisting user input of menu plans; storing menu plans; adding such at least one meal plan to such at least one menu plan; assisting user selection of such at least one menu plan; adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list; and adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system further comprising receiving such information describing such at least two unrelated grocery stores.
  • Such a system further comprising: receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, such at least one particular grocery item comparison information; and receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, shelf location information related to such at least one particular grocery item; and, also, further comprising adding such selected at least one particular grocery item to at least one purchases list; transferring such at least one purchases list to such selected at least one grocery store; and assisting user access to at least one shopping web site for such selected at least one grocery store.
  • Such a system further comprising the steps of: assisting user selection of such at least one shopping list; assisting user selecting of a plurality of such particular grocery items from such selected shopping list; assisting user selection of such at least one grocery store; adding such plurality of grocery items to purchases list for such selected grocery store; and storing such at least one purchases list for such selected grocery store.
  • such at least one computer interface system structured and arranged to assist user selection of such at least two grocery stores comprises: assisting user selection of at least one preferred shopping area; and assisting user selection of such at least two unrelated grocery stores within such at least one preferred shopping area; and, also, further comprising receiving such information describing such at least two unrelated grocery stores.
  • this invention provides such a system further comprising: receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, such at least one particular grocery item comparison information; and receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, shelf location information related to such at least one particular grocery item. And it provides such a system further comprising: adding such selected at least one particular grocery item to at least one purchases list; transferring such at least one purchases list to such selected at least one grocery store; and assisting user access to at least one shopping web site for such selected at least one grocery store; and, also further comprising transferring such at least one purchases list to at least one PDA; and, also, further comprising printing such at least one purchases list; and, also, further comprising saving such at least one purchases list as such at least one shopping list.
  • Such a system further comprising: saving such at least one purchases list as at least one pantry list; storing such at least one pantry list; assisting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item to be added to such at least one pantry list; assisting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item to be removed from such at least one pantry list; assisting user selection of such at least one particular pantry list; and adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one pantry list to such at least one shopping list.
  • it provides such a system further comprising: assisting user designation of such at least one particular grocery item included in such at least one purchases list as a charitable donation; and transferring such charitable donation information to such at least one such selected at least one grocery store.
  • it provides such a system further comprising: assisting registering such at least one user; storing demographic information of such at least one user; and recording such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user.
  • this invention provides such a system further comprising: receiving at least one grocery item manufacturers ' coupon related to such at least one particular grocery item; storing such at least one grocery item manufacturer' s coupon information related to such at least one particular grocery item; assisting displaying such at least one grocery item manufacturer ' s coupons related to such at least one particular grocery item; transferring such at least one grocery item manufacturer ' s coupons related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user to such selected at least one grocery store; transferring such at least one grocery item manufacturer' s coupon related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user to at least one PDA; and printing such at least one grocery item manufacturer' s coupon related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user.
  • Such a system further comprising: receiving at least one diet plan; storing such at least one diet plan; receiving at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; storing such at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; assisting user selection of such at least one diet plan; relating such at least one dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet plan to such at least one particular grocery item; and presenting such at least one particular grocery item related to both such at least one dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet plan and to such selected at least one grocery item general description ahead of such at least one particular grocery item related only to such selected at least one grocery item general description. And it provides such a system further comprising: receiving advertising information; relating such advertising information to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase; and presenting to such at least one user such advertising information related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase.
  • Client-Server This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a model of interaction in a distributed system in which a program at one site sends a request to a program at another site and waits for a response.
  • the requesting program is called the "client”
  • the program, which responds to the request is called the "server.”
  • the client In the context of the World Wide Web, the client is typically a "Web browser", which runs on a user's computer; the program which responds to Web browser requests at a Web site is commonly referred to as a "Web server.”
  • Coupon - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to discounts offered by Manufacturers and others as an incentive to purchase any particular grocery item. Coupons typically include restrictions such as period of validity, quantity of product that must be purchased, and package size limitations
  • Diet Plan Provider This term is sometimes used herein to refer to companies with develop and market diet plans.
  • Diet Plan - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to weight loss programs, nutritional programs or other programs designed to manage one or more aspects of food consumption by humans.
  • Diet Plan Requirement - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to specific directions to be followed by individuals adhering to any particular diet plan.
  • diet plan requirements include, but are not limited to, the following: low fat, no fat, low sugar, no sugar, no salt, no carbohydrates, etc.
  • Diet plan requirements may also include specific grocery items such as Weight Watchers brand products.
  • DNS Domain Name System
  • Grocery item This term is sometimes used herein to refer to specific products commonly sold by Grocery Storey stores.
  • a grocery item is not necessarily limited to food products. Examples may include Kraft Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Miller Lite Beer, etc.
  • Comparison Information This term is sometimes used herein to refer to information about a specific grocery item. Comparison information includes, but is not limited to, manufacturer, brand name, product name, container size, price, price per unit, discounts, special offer pricing and nutrition information.
  • Grocery store This term is sometimes used herein to refer to retail outlets whose primary business is sale of food products to the public from a geographic location. These retail outlets may be owned and managed as a single stores, or owned and managed as group or "chain” of stores.
  • HyperText Markup Language (HTML) This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a standard coding convention and set of codes for attaching presentation and linking attributes to informational content within documents.
  • HTML codes referred to as "tags" are embedded within the informational content of the document.
  • the Web document or "HTML document”
  • HTML document When the Web document (or "HTML document”) is subsequently transferred from a Web server to a Web browser, the codes are interpreted by the Web browser and used to parse and display the document.
  • HTML tags can be used to create links to other websites and other Web documents (commonly referred to as "hyperlinks").
  • Hyperlinks For more information on HTML, see Ian S. Graham, The HTML Source Book, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1995 (ISBN 0471-11894-4).
  • HTTP HyperText Transport Protocol
  • HTTP includes a number of different types of messages that can be sent from the client to the server to request different types of server actions. For example, a "GET" message, which has the format GET, causes the server to return the document or file located at the specified Universal Resource Locator (URL).
  • URL Universal Resource Locator
  • Internet This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a collection of interconnected (public and/or private) networks that are linked together by a set of standard protocols to form a distributed network. While this term is intended to refer to what is now commonly known as the Internet, it is also intended to encompass variations, which may be made in the future, including changes and additions to existing standard protocols.
  • LAN Local Area Network
  • This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a system that links together electronic office equipment, such as computers and word processors, and forms a network within an office or building.
  • Meal Plan - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a list of items to be served for a meal.
  • the list of items to be served may include any or all of the following: typical grocery item descriptions (milk, eggs, etc.), specific grocery items (Kraft Sharp Cheddar Cheese, etc.), recipes by name.
  • Menu Plan This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a list of meals to be served on a date or series of dates.
  • a menu plan may include any or all of the following: named meal plans, recipes by name, typical grocery item descriptions, specific grocery items.
  • PDA Personal Digital Assistant
  • the list may include, but is not limited to, the following: brand name, product, UPC code, number of items, package size price per package, extended price, shelf location, etc.
  • shopping cart is also sometimes used with the same meaning.
  • Purchasing Method This term is sometimes used herein to refer to method used by a shopper to acquire their selected items from any particular store. These methods may include, but are not limited to, delivery, selected items pre-packed and ready for pick up, or a shopping list organized by store which may be printed or downloaded to a PDA.
  • Recipe - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a list of ingredients and quantities required to prepare a food item such as macaroni and cheese or turkey tetrazinni. Recipes also generally contain preparation instructions.
  • the list of ingredients my include, but is not limited to, typical grocery item descriptions and specific grocery items.
  • This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a geographic area, selected by a user, in which the user wishes to shop for groceries.
  • a shopping area may be based on a specified distance from particular zip code, a specified distance from a specified intersection of streets or the boundaries of specified city, or some other method of selecting a shopping area.
  • This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a list of specific grocery items the user intends to purchase.
  • the list may include, but is not limited to, the following: brand name, product, UPC code, number of items, package size price per package, extended price, shelf location, etc.
  • purchases list is also sometimes used with the same meaning.
  • Shopping List This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a list of containing grocery items general descriptions and specific grocery items used by users to find and select specific grocery items at selected grocery stores. Items on the shopping list may come from user input, inclusion of recipe ingredients, meal plan grocery items and menu plan grocery items.
  • Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) - This term is sometimes used herein to a standard Internet protocol (or set of protocols) which specifies how two computers exchange data over the Internet. TCP/IP handles issues such as packetization, packet addressing, handshaking and error correction. For more information on TCP/IP, see Volumes I, II and III of Comer and Stevens, Internetworking with TCP/IP, Prentice Hall, Inc., ISBNs 0-13-468505-9 (vol. I), 0-13-125527-4 (vol. II), and 0-13-474222-2 (vol. III).
  • URL Uniform Resource Locator
  • UPC Universal Product Code
  • UPCs are managed by the Uniform Code Council which maintains standards and controls issuance of the manufacturer identification number portion of the code. Each manufacturer is responsible for managing the remainder of the code.
  • WAN Wide Area Network
  • This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a communications network that uses such devices as telephone lines, satellite dishes, or radio waves to span a larger geographic area than can be covered by a LAN.
  • World Wide Web This term is sometimes used herein to refer to generally to both (1) a distributed collection of interlinked, user- iewable hypertext documents (commonly referred to as "Web documents", “Web pages”, “electronic pages” or “home pages”) that are accessible via the Internet, and (2) the client and server software components that provide user access to such documents using standardized Internet protocols.
  • Web documents commonly referred to as "Web documents", “Web pages”, “electronic pages” or “home pages”
  • HTML HyperText Markup Language
  • HTML HyperText Markup Language
  • World Wide Web and “Web” are intended to encompass future markup languages and transport protocols that may be used in place of or in addition to the HyperText Markup Language and the HyperText Transfer Protocol.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of the hardware architecture of the Internet.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a typical hardware structure of a typical website where the primary web site functions are shared between tliree computers.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the typical communications between the web site components and the user's workstation.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates an overview of the web site shopping system implemented in an Internet environment, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates applicant's business method of an Internet web site shopping system, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates the overall shopping flow for a user using applicant's Internet web site shopping system and method, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a use case description of the web site log in process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a use case description of a product search within a particular zip code process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a use case description of a user account sign up process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a use case description of a zip code and store selection process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a use case description of a shopping list creation process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 12 is a use case description of a saved shopping list access process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 13 is a use case description of a print a shopping list process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 14 is a use case description of a download a shopping list to a personal digital assistant process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 15 is a use case description of a save the current shopping list to a user's account process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 16 is a use case description of a send a shopping list to a store to place an order process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 17 is a use case description of a shopping list item nutritional information request process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 18 is a use case description of an in-store sales and promotions information request process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 19 is a use case description of a request available manufacturer's coupons process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 20 is a use case description of a download or print any manufacturer's coupons process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 21 is a use case description of a sign up for a store savings card process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 22 is a use case description of a look up nutritional content of a food item process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 23 is a use case description of a browse recipes process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 24 is a use case description of a recipe creation process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 25 is a use case description of an edit /delete a recipe process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 26 is a use case description of a define a meal for a menu plan process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 27 is a use case description of a create a meal plan process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 28 is a use case description of an edit/delete a meal process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 29 is a use case description of an alert when food is running low process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 30 is a use case description of a disable/modify alert when food is running low process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 31 is a use case description of a PDA software installation on a personal digital assistant process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 32 is a use case description of a PDA shopping list creation process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 33 is a use case description of a PDA shopping list edit/delete process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 34 is a use case description of a PDA shopping list upload to user account process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 35 illustrates a sample web site home page screen presented to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 36 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user to log in for complete web site access, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 37 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user for completing web site registration, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 38 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user for selecting the preferred stores where the user wishes to shop, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 39 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user showing the results of selecting preferred stores, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 40 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user providing more detailed information about one of the preferred stores, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 41 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user for searching for a store using one of several search criteria, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 42 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user showing the results of using the search criteria, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 43 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user showing selection of an additional preferred store, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 44 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user displaying the diet plans available on the web site, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 45 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user providing more detailed information about an offered diet plan, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 46 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user indicating which diet plan has been selected as preferred, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 47 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user after successful completion of the registration process, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 48 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user for applying for a store savings card, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 49 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user after successfully registering for an in-store savings card, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 50 illustrates a sample screen used to search for in-store specials and promotion at a selected store, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 51 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user showing the in-store specials for a selected store, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 52 illustrates a sample screen used by the user to find available coupons, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 53 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user showing the results of a search for available coupons, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 54 illustrates a sample screen showing coupon detail to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 55 illustrates a sample screen which presents the shopping area home page of the web site to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 56 - A illustrates a sample screen used to select grocery item general descriptions for addition to user's shopping list, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 56 - B illustrates a sample screen which indicates the result of selecting and adding a particular grocery item to the user's shopping list from a product advertisement, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 57 illustrates a sample screen presenting a current shopping list to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 58 illustrates a sample screen which presents the particular grocery items related to a grocery item general description on the user's current shopping list to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 59 illustrates a sample screen presenting a completed purchases list showing the selected particular grocery items and remaining grocery item general descriptions which have not been resolved to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 60 illustrates a sample screen presenting the completed purchases list summarized by preferred store to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 61 illustrates a sample screen indicated to the user that the purchases list has been used to update the user's pantry list, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 62 illustrates a sample screen a printed version of a purchases list and related coupons for a preferred store, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 63 illustrates a sample screen which presents a list of saved shopping list to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 64 illustrates a sample screen presenting the detail of grocery item general descriptions and particular grocery items contained in a specific saved shopping list, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 65 illustrates a sample screen providing nutritional information for a product as requested by the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 66 illustrates a sample screen where the user may select which stores will be searched for the lowest prices for selected items or search for additional stores, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 67 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user for searching for a store using one of several search criteria, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 68 illustrates a sample screen which allows the user to select which stores will be added to the user's list of preferred stores, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 69 illustrates a sample screen which presents the result of adding an additional preferred store to the user's list of preferred stores, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 70 illustrates a sample screen where the user has selected which stores will be searched for the lowest prices for selected items, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 71 illustrates a sample screen displaying the purchases list of particular items to be purchased at a specific store, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 72 illustrates a sample screen for the user account home page (My Shark), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 73 illustrates a sample screen presents a list of the items currently in the user's pantry list, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 74 illustrates a sample screen presenting suggested recipes matching the items checked from the pantry list, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 75 illustrates a sample screen presents the details of one of the suggested recipes matching the items checked from the pantry list, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 76 illustrates a sample screen which confirms that a manufacturer's recipe has been added to the user's recipe list, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 77 illustrates a sample screen presenting the recipes home page to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 78 illustrates a sample screen used by a user to create a recipe and save it on the web site, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 79 illustrates a sample screen for adding a grocery item general description to user's recipe, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 80 illustrates a sample screen for adding a particular grocery item to user's recipe, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 81 illustrates a sample screen for classifying a user's recipe for ease of searching later, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 82 illustrates a sample screen shows the results of classifying a specific user's recipe, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 83 illustrates a sample screen presenting a user's list of meals stored by the system, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 84 illustrates a sample screen which supports the user's creation of a new meal, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 85 illustrates a sample screen shows the result of adding a grocery item general description to a selected meal, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 86 illustrates a sample screen shows the result of adding a particular grocery item to a selected meal, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 87 illustrates a sample screen shows the combined result of adding items to the selected meal the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 88 illustrates a sample screen for searching for a recipe that may be added to a meal, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 89 illustrates a sample screen presents the results of searching for a recipe that may be added to a meal, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 90 illustrates a sample screen showing the result of adding a recipe to a meal, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 91 illustrates a sample screen presents an updated meal list after a meal has been saved, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 92 illustrates a sample screen presenting a list of menu templates for a user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 93 illustrates a sample screen presenting a user's list of menu templates stored by the system, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 94 illustrates a sample screen showing a list of meals that may be added to a menu template, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 95 illustrates a sample screen showing the result of adding a selected meal to the menu template, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 96 illustrates a sample screen showing a competed plan for a specific day in the menu template, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 97 illustrates a sample screen that presents a summary of the meals planned for each day covered by the menu template, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 98 illustrates a sample screen presenting the results of saving the updated menu template, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 99 illustrates a sample screen presents a calendar form summarizing all dates for which a menu template has been prepared and saved, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 100 illustrates a sample screen showing brand selection as the first step in finding the best price for a particular grocery item, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 101 illustrates a sample screen showing product selection as the second step in finding the best price for a particular grocery item, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 102 illustrates a sample screen presents the results of searching the user's preferred stores for the best price on a particular grocery item, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 103 illustrates a sample screen showing brand selection as the first step in finding the nutritional information for a particular grocery item, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 104 illustrates a sample screen showing product selection as the second step in finding the nutritional information for a particular grocery item, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 105 illustrates a sample screen presenting the results of searching for the nutrition information on a particular grocery item, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • a business method and software system is described with features for interactively shopping for groceries and related household products, especially on the Internet, where the user may create a shopping list, shop for items from the list at one or more selected Grocery Store stores, arrange for pick up or delivery of the selected items and payment, print the list, or download the list into a PDA or like device for use in the store, etc.
  • system of the present invention which may embody an appropriate method, apparatus, system configuration and/or computer software (defined as a computer readable medium, for example CD ROM, DVD ROM, floppy disk), are provided which implement the system of grocery shopping described herein.
  • computer software defined as a computer readable medium, for example CD ROM, DVD ROM, floppy disk
  • this system provides the means for a user to create, maintain and utilize personal shopping lists using common text terms (milk, eggs, butter, etc.) and specific products (such as Kraft Sharp Cheddar 4oz., etc.) that, in turn, are used to select the desired products and services from selected retailers, the list of selected products may then be downloaded to the retailers' system or printed by the user for use in personally purchasing the selected products.
  • common text terms milk, eggs, butter, etc.
  • specific products such as Kraft Sharp Cheddar 4oz., etc.
  • Selected items downloaded to the retailers' system will include instructions as to whether the products should be delivered or packed for pick up by the user.
  • the shopping list is sent to the store's system and the store takes it from there, including payment, delivery time, availability of items being delivered/picked-up, etc.
  • the present system preferably divides the list into perishables and non-perishables and then sends the list to the store system; then the store verifies items to be gathered and sets up a pick-up time.
  • the present system permits the user to print the shopping list which is divided into perishables and non-perishables, so the user knows which perishables the user needs to pick up in addition to those bagged.
  • this system provides the functions outlined above and includes functions: to access predefined recipes, to create personal recipes, to modify any recipe, to create, modify and delete meal plans and menu plans, to access diet plans, to select a specific diet plan and for the selected recipes, meal and menu plans and diet plans to update the user's shopping list.
  • the system provides the functions outlined above and provides functions to display the availability of coupons that can then be automatically linked to the products selected, then the coupons can either be printed or downloaded to the user's savings card for the retailer for deduction at the time of payment by the user.
  • Functions are provided to facilitate access to nutrition label information and price comparisons of the same product for multiple retailers and price comparison of similar products at a particular retailer location.
  • the present invention preferably comprises a computer system 108.
  • the computer system 108 comprises input and output devices as is well known in the art.
  • the computer system 108 preferably comprises a display screen or monitor 104, a keyboard 116, a printer 114, a mouse 106, etc.
  • the computer system 108 further preferably comprises a database 102 for storage of the data and software comprising preferred embodiments of the present invention.
  • the computer system 108 is preferably connected to the Internet 112 that serves as the presently preferred communications medium.
  • the Internet 112 as previously discussed, comprises a global network of networks and computers, public and private.
  • the Internet 112 is the preferable connection method by the users 118, 120, 122 and nnn in preferred embodiments of the present invention.
  • the computer system 108 in a preferred embodiment comprises a database server 124, an application server 125 and a web server 126.
  • the database server 124 preferably runs the database engine.
  • the application server 125 preferably manages the preferred application software.
  • the web server 126 also preferably operates only as the web server.
  • FIG. 3 a simplified functional diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown.
  • This figure shows the preferred relationships between a user 118 (exemplary of any number of users 118, 120, 122, nnn), the intemet 112, the web server 126, the application server 125 and the database server 124.
  • a user 118 requests a page from the web site of the present invention.
  • the user 118 is preferably connected via the internet 112, and the web page request initiates a call to the present invention.
  • the present invention then makes at least one request to the database server 124, and generates an HTML page for transmission to the user 118 following the database server's completion of the present invention's request and transmission of the requested data back to the web server 126.
  • the web server 126 transmits the completed HTML page containing the data requested by the user 118 through the Internet 112 to the user 118.
  • this system includes the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409 and required data bases, configured to communicate with one or more users' workstations 406, kiosks 413 at the located grocery store, or similar devices capable of accessing web sites 408 and the providers of the advertising (Advertising Server 405), diets (Diet Plans 403), nutrition information and recipes (Manufacturers 401), store item inventory and promotions (Grocery Stores) and manufacturers' coupons (Coupon Clearinghouses 404) for providing advertising and information to users based on demographics and shopping list items, and retailer grocer web sites 410 411 412 for exchange of products selected for purchase (collectively nodes).
  • Each node is preferably connected directly or indirectly to the web site server via a connection to a network, such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet or the like, via a public switched phone network, dedicated data line, cellular network, Personal Communication System, microwave, satellite networks, cable or the like.
  • a network such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet or the like
  • personal digital assistants 407 may be configured to communicate with users' workstations 406 for sending and receiving shopping lists information.
  • applicant's Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409 is implemented as a single general-purpose computer as described below. In another embodiment, the functionality of the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409 is distributed over a plurality of computers.
  • the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409 is configured in a distributed architecture, wherein the database and processors are housed in separate units or locations and connected via a network connection such as those discussed above.
  • the database and processors are housed in separate units or locations and connected via a network connection such as those discussed above.
  • a network connection such as those discussed above.
  • controllers may be supported. This arrangement provides a more dynamic and flexible system, which is less prone to catastrophic hardware failures affecting the entire system.
  • the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409 is preferably implemented as a single general purpose computer including a central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), an input device, a communications port, a clock, and a mass storage device for storing the Registered User Profiles database, the Menu Plans database, the Diet Plans database, the Item/User Purchase History database, the Nutrition Information database, the Recipes database, the Store Inventory and Promotions database, and the Manufacturer's coupons database.
  • the CPU comprises a conventional microprocessor such as an Intel Pentium processor electrically coupled to each of the other components of the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409.
  • the CPU executes program code stored in one or more of ROM, RAM and mass storage devices to carry out the functions and acts described in connection with the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409.
  • the CPU comprises at least one high-speed digital data processor adequate to execute program modules for all application functions including, but not limited to executing user login, shopping list creation, presentation of information from the various databases, downloading to retailers and other devices, capturing item and user purchase history, interacting with other external databases for retrieval and distribution of data, and reporting processes.
  • the modules are further described in connection with FIGS. 7-105.
  • the CPU interacts with ROM, RAM and the mass storage device to execute stored program code according to conventional data processing techniques.
  • each user workstation device is a browser based system implemented as a single interactive visual display device, audio device or other like interactive device such as a general purpose computer, phone, or interactive television system.
  • Each user workstation 406 408 is capable of communicating directly and indirectly with the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409.
  • Communication between the user workstation and the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409 is electronic, preferably by means of the Internet, and preferably includes conventional high-speed connection employing known communication protocols, such as TCP/IP, and is capable of decrypting and encrypting data received and transmitted between nodes.
  • communication between the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409 and the Grocery Storey Store Web Site servers is usual for networks such as the Internet and is conducted as those skilled in the art will, under appropriate circumstances, deem efficient.
  • communication between the user workstation 406 408 and the personal digital assistant 407 is usual for peripheral connections and is conducted as those skilled in the art will, under appropriate circumstances, deem efficient.
  • communication between the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409 and the providers of the advertising (Advertising Server 405), diets (Diet Plans 403), nutrition information and recipes (Manufacturers 401), grocery stores item inventory and promotions and manufacturer's coupons (Coupon Clearinghouses 404) databases for downloading and updating is usual for networks such as the Internet and is conducted as those skilled in the art will, under appropriate circumstances, deem efficient.
  • the business method of one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated with reference to FIG 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the method preferably includes the company
  • the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably provide users 501 access to the Grocery Shopping Web Site 409 (as an example for use in this application), upon providing certain demographic information as part of a registration process, for the purpose of completing shopping lists, redeeming coupons, planning menus and meals, assisting users 501 with dietary maintenance, viewing recipes, selecting specific products or services from a selected Grocery Store and arranging payment and receipt of the selected items.
  • Registered users 501 will preferably have access to all the Grocery Shopping Web Site 409 services at no charge.
  • the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably complete a business relationship with one or more Coupon Clearinghouses 404 which will have the effect of the Coupon Clearinghouses 404 providing current manufacturer's coupon data to the Grocery Shopping Web Site 409 for reference and use by users 501 as part of their shopping process on the Shopping website.
  • the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will optionally provide market analysis data including information regarding demographic profiles of users 501, their responses to particular promotions, coupon campaigns and related data about their buying patterns.
  • the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will receive payment for the market analysis information provided to the Coupon Clearinghouses 404.
  • the Grocery Shopping Web Site In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Grocery Shopping Web Site
  • Operator 502 will preferably complete a business relationship with one or more Grocery
  • the Grocery Stores 402 which may be individual stores or supermarket chains as the opportunities are presented, which will have the effect of the Grocery Stores 402 providing detailed information regarding product inventory, pricing and promotion and item location data to the Grocery Shopping Web Site 409 for reference and use by users 501 as part of their shopping process on the Shopping website.
  • the Grocery Store 402 will preferably permit the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 to interface with the systems of the Grocery Stores 402 for the transfer of information regarding items purchased, savings card sign up and coupons being redeemed so that the user 501 may complete their shopping process with the Grocery Store 402 as efficiently as possible.
  • the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will optionally provide market analysis data including information regarding demographic profiles of users 501, their responses to particular promotions, coupon campaigns and related data about their buying patterns. As a further aspect of the business relationship with the Grocery Stores 402, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably receive payment for the market analysis information provided to the Grocery Stores 402 and for each savings card user 501that is registered on the Grocery Shopping Web Site 409. Payments for Store positioning of products in the shopping list
  • the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably complete a business relationship with one or more Diet Plan Providers 403 (such as Weight Watchers, Atkins, or Jenny Craig) which will have the effect of the Diet Plan Providers 403 providing their current diet plan and recipe data to the Grocery Shopping Web Site 409 for reference and use by users 501 as part of their shopping process on the Shopping website, thus creating a cross-marketing between The Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 and Diet Plan Providers 403.
  • the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will also assist users 501 of Diet Plan Provider 403 in making their diets "a way of life", the goal of the diet plan company.
  • the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will optionally provide market analysis data including information regarding demographic profiles of users 501, their responses to particular plan and recipe usage, product (if any) purchases and related data about their buying patterns.
  • the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably receive payment for providing this market analysis information to the Diet Plan Providers 403.
  • the Grocery Shopping Web Site In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Grocery Shopping Web Site
  • Operator 502 will preferably complete a business relationship with one or more
  • Manufacturers 401 (of grocery products and related items sold by Grocery Stores 402) which will preferably have the effect of the Manufacturer's providing current manufacturer's product promotions, nutrition labeling and recipe data to the Grocery
  • the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will optionally provide market analysis data including information regarding demographic profiles of users 501, their responses to particular promotions, coupon campaigns and related data about their product buying patterns.
  • the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably receive payment for providing the market analysis information to the Manufacturers 401.
  • the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably complete a business relationship with one or more Advertising Servers 405 (such as Open AdStream, DoubleClick and others) which will preferably have the effect of the Advertising Servers 405 providing current Manufacturer's product and other promotional advertising to the Grocery Shopping Web Site 409 for reference and use by users 501 as part of their shopping process on the Shopping website.
  • Advertising Servers 405 such as Open AdStream, DoubleClick and others
  • the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will optionally provide market analysis data including information regarding demographic profiles users 501, their responses to particular promotions, coupon campaigns and related data about their buying patterns.
  • the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably receive payment for providing the market analysis information provided to the Advertising Servers 405.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates the primary process for users to utilize the Grocery Shopping Web Site 601 to shop for groceries utilizing all the relevant information available from their workstation connected to the Internet or any workstation anywhere that is com ected to the Internet.
  • the system may manage any or all of (1) user registration and login referencing and/or updating Registered User Profiles 602 , (2) user's selection of a preferred grocery store, (3) Step 1 user creation of a shopping list, (4) Step 2, along with item 13 of the list of this paragraph, the user's consideration of special dietary needs as they relate to products to be purchased from the shopping list, (5) Step 3 user's selection of specific products to satisfy to shopping list requirements, (6) Step 4 presentation to the user of the products selected and total cost, (7) Step 5 the user's decision as to whether the selected products will be sent to the selected Grocery Store Web Site 609, or a purchases list 611 printed or downloaded to a Personal Digital Assistant 612 for use by the user in the store, (8) the download of completed shopping list to the selected Grocery Store Web Site 609 for delivery to the user or bagging and pickup by the user, (9) the download of the list of products to a PDA 612, (10) printing of the purchases list 611 on the user's printer, (11) downloading,
  • a user preferably begins a session by accessing the web site home page which is illustrated in FIG. 35.
  • a user my access most functions of the without being logged in, but preferably can not complete the shopping process by transferring their purchases list to a selected grocery store of save any of their work. Therefore, users are preferably encouraged to register and log in each time.
  • FIG. 36 preferably the user is given the option of logging in using an assigned ID and password, if previously registered, or registering for the first time.
  • the preferred steps of the use case "Web site log in" are illustrated in FIG. 7.
  • To register as shown in FIG. 37 a new user is required to complete specific demographic information identify their preferred grocery store, pick an ID and password and agree to the user agreement.
  • the preferred registration steps of the "User account sign up" use case are provided in FIG. 9.
  • users are provided the opportunity to select specific grocery stores location near the address they entered as illustrated in FIG. 38.
  • selection of particular stores associates them with a user's profile and the selected stores are used as defaults for the user's further shopping.
  • the association of selected grocery stores with a user's profile is illustrated in FIG. 39.
  • the preferred steps of the "Zip code and store selection" use case are provided in FIG. 10.
  • a user may preferably request additional information, including a location map, about a particular store by selected the store's name as illustrated in FIG. 40.
  • the Advanced Store Search As illustrated in FIG. 41. This function preferably allows the location and selection of stores which might be used when traveling or for shopping for a family member in another city.
  • the results of the Advanced Store Search are shown in FIG. 42. Users may select a store from the list of stores found by the Advanced Store Search as an additional preferred grocery store as illustrated in FIG. 43.
  • FIG. 44 An example of the preferred types of information provided is shown in FIG. 45.
  • users may optionally choose to add the selected diet to their profile, for reference during shopping, after reviewing the diet information.
  • the result of choosing to add a diet to a profile is demonstrated in FIG. 46.
  • the registration process is preferably complete as illustrated by FIG. 47. After completing the registration process users may access all user functions of the grocery shopping web site. Savings Card Application / In-Store Savings / Manufacturer Coupon Use Case 21
  • registered users may sign up for grocery store savings card or input their existing grocery story savings card information.
  • signing up for a grocery store savings card may allow coupons to automatically be applied to purchases made through the grocery shopping web site at the issuing grocery store.
  • the sign up process steps are illustrated in use case "Sign Up For Store Savings Card", FIG. 21 and a preferred input screen is shown in FIG. 48.
  • users are preferably provided an opportunity to review the in-store promotions available as shown in FIG. 49.
  • the user preferably starts the search by selecting the store for which the in-store promotions are of interest as demonstrated in FIG. 50.
  • the in-store specials are listed for user review as shown in FIG. 51.
  • users may preferably add any selected particular grocery item to their shopping cart.
  • the opportunity to review in-store specials is preferably available throughout the shopping process by selecting the Savings tab and the In-Store Specials secondary navigation link.
  • the preferred steps for reviewing in-store sales and promotions are provided in use case "Store sales and promotions information request", provided in FIG. 18.
  • coupon information is available to users by selecting the Coupons secondary navigation link in the Savings Section of the grocery shopping web site.
  • the coupon search process preferably requires user input of the manufacturer's brand name and Savings Category or keyword as illustrated in FIG. 52.
  • the coupon search results are illustrated in FIG. 53.
  • Particular grocery items returned from the coupon search may preferably be add to the user's shopping list.
  • coupons for items purchased are preferably automatically saved for either printing, downloading to a user's PDA or transfer to the grocery store where the particular grocery item will be purchased.
  • a user may see the details of any coupon found by selecting the item; a sample coupon is shown in FIG. 54.
  • the user desires the coupon may be printed.
  • users may access the shopping functions from the Shopping Home Page, illustrated in FIG. 55, which is reached by selecting the main Shopping Tab from any screen on the Grocery Shopping Web Site.
  • users may select the secondary navigation link "Build Your Shopping List” to begin creation of a new shopping list (Step 1).
  • the preferred primary screen for building a new shopping list is shown in FIG. 56- A.
  • Each user will preferably use the three tier menu of grocery categories and sub-categories to select grocery item general descriptions which they desire to purchase.
  • each selection of an end point of the menu adds the grocery item general description to the user's shopping list.
  • FIG. 56-B Alternatively, a user may choose to select a product image displayed as an advertisement and add the particular grocery item to the shopping list.
  • a user may view the shopping list by selecting the "Today's Shopping List” link.
  • a preferred example of a shopping list display is shown in FIG. 57.
  • FIG. 11 provides the use case "Shopping list creation” which sets out preferred user steps for creating a shopping list.
  • a user may, at any time, search for all related particular grocery items related to the grocery item general description included in the shopping list (Step 2 and Step 3).
  • An example of the preferred particular grocery item search results for a grocery item general description is shown in FIG. 58.
  • this search results screen allow a user to select the particular grocery item and quantity desired at the desired grocery store.
  • This screen preferably allows a user to review all particular grocery items available at each selected grocery store, compare the current prices and select the most desirable particular grocery item at the most convenient grocery store.
  • particular grocery items matching dietary requirements of a selected diet plan will be presented ahead of particular grocery items not matching the dietary requirements of a selected diet plan.
  • selecting particular grocery items automatically adds them to the shopping cart list for the selected grocery store and accumulates any coupons and sums the total amount of planned purchases.
  • FIG. 59 illustrates the result of completing the process of selecting particular grocery items for selected grocery stores.
  • This screen preferably presents the particular grocery items intended for purchase at which grocery store the total expected cost, any expected savings and any remaining grocery item general descriptions not yet resolved.
  • Step 4 a summary of the particular grocery items in the shopping cart for each of the selected grocery stores is displayed (Step 4), as shown in FIG. 60.
  • a user may preferably choose to either print the shopping cart for each selected grocery store, including any related coupons or, a user my choose to purchase the particular grocery items from a selected grocery store by transferring the shopping cart to the web site and completing the purchase using the selected grocery store's e-commerce capabilities (Step 5).
  • a preferred example of a printed shopping cart list and coupons is shown in FIG. 62.
  • transferring the shopping cart will also transfer any related coupons.
  • FIG. 16 provides the use case "Send a shopping list to the store to place an order" which describes the preferred steps for transferring a shopping cart list to a selected grocery store shopping web site.
  • the user may also choose to download any or all of the shopping carts to a PDA. Additionally, preferably a user may choose combinations of actions such as printing the shopping cart for a selected store and choosing to transfer the related coupons to the user's grocery store savings card, thereby preferably eliminating the need to print the coupons; or downloading the shopping cart to a PDA and choosing to transfer the related coupons to the user's grocery store savings card.
  • FIG 13 provides the use case "Print a shopping list” which describes the preferred user steps for printing a shopping cart list.
  • FIG. 14 provides the use case "Send a shopping list to personal digital assistant (PDA)" which sets out the preferred user steps for downloading a shopping cart list to a PDA.
  • PDA personal digital assistant
  • a user may preferably choose to save a shopping cart list as a shopping list for future use. This is especially helpful for special event (Easter dinner) shopping, where many of the same particular grocery items are purchased each time.
  • a user may also preferably choose to save a shopping list of grocery item general descriptions for future use.
  • FIG. 15 provides a use case "Save current shopping list to user's account" which describes the preferred steps for saving a shopping list or shopping cart list for a registered user.
  • a user may also optionally save the shopping cart lists to a pantry list which can be used as a reminder in the future of the items in their physical pantry. Also, preferably a user can use a saved pantry list to suggest possible recipes for a meal.
  • the user will preferably be presented with the opportunity to select and designate products they wish to have contributed to a specified local charity or food bank. Items designated for contribution will be included in the user's total bill and accumulated for later reporting of the total quarterly or annual contributions to the user.
  • a user will preferably be presented with particular grocery item advertisements that are relevant to the particular grocery items entered into the user's shopping cart list. Additionally, the system may suggest particular grocery item based on the best price or other similar store promotion. Additionally, the system may suggest particular grocery items that have been identified as "going well with" a selected particular grocery item for consideration by the user for inclusion in his/her shopping cart list of selected items.
  • the user may optionally choose to compare the price of a particular product at the selected store with the price of the product at other stores in the geographic area.
  • the user may optionally view the standard nutrition label information and other information for any particular grocery item.
  • Shark Shop
  • users may access the shopping functions from the Shopping Home Page, illustrated in FIG. 55, which is reached by selecting the main Shopping Tab from any screen on the Grocery Shopping Web Site.
  • users may access a saved shopping list by selecting the "Start Shopping Using a Saved List" text link.
  • FIG. 63 illustrates a list of saved shopping lists that may preferably be returned.
  • the use case "Saved shopping list access" provided in FIG. 12 further describes the steps that may preferably be followed by a user to access a saved shopping list.
  • each saved list preferably has been meaningfully named by the user to ease selection of a saved list the meets the user's needs.
  • each saved list may preferably be reviewed by selecting the name of the list which is a link to a display of the items contained in the list; such a display is presented in FIG. 64. From this detail list a user may preferably choose to add additional grocery item general descriptions or particular grocery items to the list, in the manner described above, before comparison shopping at the user's preferred stores.
  • a user may preferably choose the review the detail product and nutritional information for any particular grocery item on the list by selecting the particular grocery item name.
  • the particular grocery item name is a link to the detail product and nutritional information display, as illustrated in FIG. 65.
  • use case "Shopping list item nutritional information request" shown in FIG. 17 further describes the user actions preferably required to view the detail product and nutritional information for a particular grocery item.
  • the ability to access the detail product and nutritional information for a particular grocery item is preferably available from any screen where the name of a particular grocery item is displayed.
  • a user may preferably choose to "Shark Shop” if all the list items are resolved to particular grocery items.
  • "Shark Shop” is preferably a process of the system which will automatically select the particular grocery item from the preferred grocery store where it is priced lowest. In other words, the "Shark Shop” process preferably automatically comparison shops for the items for the user.
  • the first step in the "Shark Shop” process after selecting a saved shopping list is preferably to select the preferred stores to be shopped by selecting the button "Shark Shop for Checked".
  • the grocery store selection screen is illustrated by FIG. 66. While it is not required, users may preferably choose to add another grocery store to their profiles by selecting the "Add stores to Profile” button which presents the Advanced Store Selection screen as shown in FIG. 67.
  • This process preferably permits a user to search for stores within a user determined radius of an address or zip code, or to search within a particular city. Selecting the "Find Stores" button will preferably cause the system to search for stores within the entered criteria.
  • the results of the search are preferably presented on a screen as illustrated in FIG. 68.
  • a user may now select a grocery store to be added their profile and clicking on the "Add Checked Stores” button.
  • the result of this action is shown in FIG. 69.
  • Clicking on the "Continue” will preferably return the user may to the screen for selecting which preferred store will be used for the "Shark Shop” process.
  • the preferred store selection screen is demonstrated in FIG. 70.
  • the second step is preferably begun when the "Shark Shop” button is selected after selecting the "Shark Shop” grocery stores as instructed.
  • the "Shark Shop” process will result in all items on the shopping list being preferably automatically placed in a shopping cart for the preferred grocery store with the lowest price for the particular grocery item. An example of this is shown in FIG. 71.
  • the final step is preferably completed by selecting the "Checkout” button which allows the user to decide the method for purchasing the items.
  • the purchase options for the user are preferably the same as presented earlier.
  • My Pantry According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention users may select the "My Shark” tab from any screen to access all the personal information stored by the system for their account.
  • the "My Shark" home page is illustrated in FIG. 72.
  • a user may preferably choose to view the list of grocery item general descriptions and particular grocery items previously saved in "My Pantry” by selecting the text link "View Items in My Pantry”.
  • the resulting screen is illustrated by FIG. 73.
  • "My Pantry” is preferably intended as an inventory of the items kept by users in their homes.
  • a user's pantry list may preferably be used for a variety of purposes including adding items to a shopping list and suggesting recipes based on some or all of the pantry items.
  • a user Preferably by checking specific items on the pantry list and by clicking on the "Suggest Recipes Based on Checked” button users will be presented with a list of recipes that can be prepared using from the checked items as illustrated in FIG. 74.
  • the search results preferably presents a list of recipes which then can be reviewed by a user by selecting the name of a recipe which is a text link to the recipe details.
  • An example of the recipe details that are displayed are shown in FIG. 75.
  • a user preferably has several standard recipe options as shown on the screen, including adding the recipe items to a shopping list or "Shark Shopping" for the items and the option to add the recipe to the user's personal recipe list.
  • the system will save a copy of the recipe in the user's account.
  • the outcome of this action is illustrated in FIG. 76.
  • users my select the "Recipes" tab from any screen to access all the recipes available on the Grocery Shopping Web Site.
  • Users may preferably view a directory of recipes, view only featured recipes from particular grocery item manufacturers and others, find a particular recipe or create a recipe.
  • a user may preferably select the "Create a Recipe" text link to begin the process of creation and storage of a user's personal recipe.
  • the initial screen for creation of a recipe preferably permits a user to name the recipe, describe the preparation instruction, and identify the recipe's ingredients.
  • a user may preferably identify the ingredients as either grocery item general descriptions or as particular grocery items their unit of measure and required quantity.
  • a user will select the "Add Product Category” button which will preferably assist a user in the insertion of grocery item general descriptions, or categories of items, in the ingredient list.
  • a user will select the appropriate grocery item general descriptions from the same three tier menu used to create shopping lists. Selection of an end item on the three tier menu will preferably automatically add the grocery item general description to the recipe and return the user to the Recipe Creation screen.
  • An example of the screen used for selecting grocery item general descriptions is shown in FIG. 79.
  • a user may also preferably add a particular grocery item to a recipe by selecting the "Add Product” button. Selecting the "Add Product” button preferably allows the user to search for the desired particular grocery item with the same process used when adding particular grocery items to a shopping cart. An example of the search result is illustrated in FIG. 80. Clicking on the "Add Product to Recipe” will preferably add the checked particular grocery item to the ingredient list of the recipe being created.
  • the next step in recipe creation preferably requires the user to classify the recipe to facilitate easy retrieval.
  • the classification process is preferably accomplished using a tliree tier recipe classification menu as illustrated in FIG. 81.
  • users may select the "My Shark” tab from any screen to access all the personal information stored by the system for their account.
  • the "My Shark" home page is illustrated in FIG. 72.
  • a user may preferably choose the "My Meals” text link to view all the meals they have saved as illustrated by FIG. 83. From this screen a user preferably may choose any of several options, including viewing the contents of any meal by clicking on the meal name, adding all the contents of a meal to a shopping list by selecting the meal and clicking on the button "Add Checked to Today's Shopping List, deleting a meal or creating a new meal.
  • the process for creating a new meal involves several steps which are similar to other functions of the system such as creating a recipe or creating a shopping list.
  • meals may preferably contain recipes as well as grocery item general descriptions, and particular grocery items.
  • Selecting the "Create Meal” button is the first step in the process.
  • the screen as shown in FIG. 84, allows the user to name the meal, identify its meal type and begin selecting its contents.
  • Selecting the "Add Product Category” button preferably provide the user the opportunity to use the previously described three tier menu structure to select grocery item general descriptions to be included in the meal.
  • selecting the "Add Product” button preferably provides the user the opportunity to use the previously described particular grocery item selection process to identify particular grocery items to be included in the meal.
  • a preferred meal contents screen displaying the results of adding a grocery item general description is presented in FIG. 85.
  • the preferred screen displaying the search results for a particular grocery item is presented in FIG. 86.
  • the preferred meal contents screen displaying the results for adding a particular grocery item is presented in FIG. 87.
  • selecting the "Add Recipe" button provides the user the opportunity add a saved or manufacturer's recipe to the meal.
  • a user will use the three tier recipe classification menu to browse the recipes available in a user's preferred recipe classification; such as shown in FIG. 88.
  • the user is preferably presented with a list recipes as shown in FIG. 89.
  • the user may preferably check the desired recipe and click on the "Add Checked to Meal” button to add the recipe to the meal.
  • the resulting meal is now presented in an updated meal display as shown in FIG. 90.
  • the user may preferably be saved in the user's list of meals by clicking on the "Save Meal” button. After saving the new meal the user's meal list is updated and the result is displayed, as shown in FIG. 91.
  • menu plans may be prepared by users from any combination of meals. Additionally, it is preferable for menus plans to span a specified time period which may be a day, multiple days up to a maximum of seven. Creation of a menu plan preferably requires several steps.
  • the first step is to view the current list of saved menu templates as shown in FIG. 92. Preferably, this screen may be accessed from a variety of other screens including the "My Shark" home page shown in FIG.
  • a user may view the contents of any saved menu plan, create a menu plan, delete a menu plan, a selected menu plan to the menu calendar or add the contents of a menu plan to a shopping list.
  • create a menu plan a user will click on the "Create New Template” button which will result in the presentation of "Create Menu Template” screen as shown in FIG. 93.
  • This screen preferably allows the user the name the menu template for future reference, add meals for any time of day and for any day of the menu plan, as well as save the template or view a summary of the template.
  • Selecting the "Add Meal” button for any time of day will preferably result in a list of meals organized by type of meal as illustrated in FIG. 94.
  • a user may check specific meals from the list and click on the "Add Checked Meals to Menu Template” button to add one of more to the menu plan. The result of these actions preferably will return the user to the "Create Menu Template” screen which is updated for the additional meals.
  • An example of the preferred screen is shown in FIG. 95. Users may preferably repeat this described process until all the desired meals have been added to the menu template. When all desired meals have been added to a menu template a summary of the meals for a day of the menu plan preferably may be reviewed as shown in FIG. 96.
  • a user may also request to see a summary list of all meals included in a menu plan by selecting the "View Template Summary” button.
  • the preferred resulting list of meals is organized by meal type within menu plan day, as illustrated in FIG. 97.
  • an updated "Saved Menu Templates" screen is displayed for the user as shown in FIG. 98.
  • a user may add any menu template to the menu calendar from the
  • the Menu Calendar preferably displays all schedule menu plans in a calendar format.
  • a user may delete a day's menu from the calendar or view the meals planned for any day.
  • a user may preferably add all the grocery item general descriptions and particular grocery items required to prepare the meals planned for any day to a shopping list. Best Price Lookup
  • users may preferably search for the best price for any particular grocery item at a number of selected stores.
  • this capability may be accessed from the "Shop" home page by clicking on the "Find the Best Price” secondary text link.
  • a user must specify the specific particular grocery item to find its best price by first selecting the manufacturer's brand name as shown in FIG. 100.
  • a user must specify the specific product and preferably choose to search preferred grocery stores or other selected stores as shown in FIG. 101.
  • the results of the search will be displayed as a comparative list sorted in ascending order by price as shown in FIG. 102.
  • Alternative preferred user steps are described in use case "Product search within a particular ZIP code" provided in FIG. 8.
  • a user may preferably choose the review the detail product and nutritional information for any particular grocery item.
  • this capability may be accessed from the "Shop" home page by clicking on the "Nutritional information" secondary text link.
  • a user must specify the specific particular grocery item to find its best price by first selecting the manufacturer's brand name as shown in FIG. 103.
  • a user must specify the specific product and preferably choose to search preferred grocery stores or other selected stores as shown in FIG. 104.
  • the results of the search will be displayed as a comparative list sorted in ascending order by price as shown in FIG. 105.
  • use case "Look up the nutritional content of a food item" as provided in FIG. 22 further describes alternate preferred user actions required to view the detail product and nutritional information for a particular grocery item.
  • access to the detail product and nutritional information on a particular grocery item is preferably available from any screen where the name of a particular grocery item is displayed.
  • users may preferably accomplish a number of functions using a PDA. These may preferably include creating shopping lists, editing shopping lists and transferring shopping lists through the user's computer which is connected to the Internet to the Grocery Shopping Web Site.
  • PDA Personal Digital Assistant
  • the user steps preferred to accomplish these functions are described in use cases "PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) software installation” provided in FIG. 31, "PDA shopping list creation” provided in FIG. 32, “PDA shopping list edit/delete” provided in FIG. 33 and “PDA shopping list upload to user account” provided in FIG. 34.
  • External Information Processes Items 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 21
  • an Internet-based interface will preferably be provided to permit requesting, receiving and management of advertising presented to the user which is relevant to items appearing on the user's current shopping list.
  • the agreements preferably will provide for the placement of advertising in return for payment to the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator based on a display volume measure.
  • the processes employed under each alternative will employ standard industry practices and conventions for data requests, transfers and storage.
  • the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator will preferably complete agreements with manufacturers for downloading, storing, managing and presenting manufacturer's nutrition label information. Under appropriate circumstances the information may also preferably be provided via Internet-based requests rather than downloading, storing, managing the data. Additionally, these agreements may preferably include downloading, storing and managing meal plans and menu plans. The processes employed under each alternative will employ standard industry practices and conventions for data requests, transfers and storage. Agreements with manufacturers may also preferably include payments to the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator for preferential placement of products in search result lists and payment for providing relevant purchasing history of users, products, advertising and coupon usage for use in reporting and analysis of user's buying habits and patterns.
  • the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator will preferably complete agreements with grocery stores for downloading, storing and managing each participating store's information, particular grocery item inventory information and in-store promotions. Under appropriate circumstances the information may also preferably be provided via Internet-based requests rather than downloading, storing, managing the data.
  • the processes employed under each alternative will employ standard industry practices and conventions for data requests, transfers and storage. Agreements with grocery stores may also preferably include payments to the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator for preferential placement of grocery store logo and products in search result lists and payment for providing relevant purchasing history of users, products, advertising and coupon usage for use in reporting and analysis of user's buying habits and patterns.
  • the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator will preferably complete agreements with coupon clearinghouses for downloading, storing and managing manufacturer's coupon and special promotion information. Under appropriate circumstances the information may also preferably be provided via Internet-based requests rather than downloading, storing, managing the data.
  • the processes employed under each alternative will employ standard industry practices and conventions for data requests, transfers and storage. Agreements with coupon clearinghouses may also preferably include payments to the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator for providing relevant purchasing history of users, products, advertising and coupon usage for use in reporting and analysis of user's buying habits and patterns.
  • the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator will preferably complete agreements with grocery stores for downloading user's savings from coupons to the selected grocery store's savings card database which then can be applied as a reduction in the user's total cost at the time of payment.
  • the information may also preferably be provided via Internet-based process rather than downloading, the data.
  • the processes employed under each alternative will employ standard industry practices and conventions for data requests, transfers and storage.
  • the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator will preferably complete agreements with diet plan providers for downloading, storing and managing diet plan information. Under appropriate circumstances the information may also preferably be provided via Internet-based requests rather than downloading, storing, managing the data.
  • the processes employed under each alternative will employ standard industry practices and conventions for data requests, transfers and storage. Agreements with diet plan providers may also preferably include payments to the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator for providing relevant purchasing history of users, products, advertising, diet plan usage and coupon usage for use in reporting and analysis of user's buying habits and patterns.

Abstract

A method and system for interactively shopping for groceries, especially on an Internet web site (108), where the user may create a shopping list, shop for items from the list at a selected Grocery Storey store, arrange for pick up or delivery of the selected items and payment, or to download the list to a PDA (407) or for printing with the store's layout for use in the store. Users are required to register and provide specific demographic information (Figure 37) (useful to Manufacturers and stores) to be eligible to receive the benefits of use of the web site, such as menu creation, coupon downloads, menu planning, and recipe input. Shopping lists may be created from a single input screen using standard language text; and products may be automatically suggested to the user based on best regular price or retailer's specials. Recipes may be altered to meet numbers of servings or dietary requirements and changes stored for future use.

Description

INTERACTIVE INTERNET SHOPPING AND DATA INTEGRATION METHOD AND SYSTEM
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates generally to shopping for goods and services, and more particularly, to a method and system for interactively shopping for groceries, especially on the Internet, where the user, among other things, is offered the opportunity to create a shopping list, shop for items from the list at one or more selected Grocery Storey stores, arrange for pick up or delivery of the selected items and payment, print the list, or download the list into a personal digital assistant or like device for use in the store, etc.
Recently, a wide range of interactive devices has been developed to provide information to a variety of users via communications networks. These interactive devices include, for example, computers connected to various computer on-line services, interactive kiosks, interactive television systems, a variety of other wired and wireless devices, such as personal data assistants (PDA's), and the like. In particular, the popularity of computer on-line services has grown immensely in popularity over the last decade. Computer on-line services are provided by a wide variety of different companies.
In general, most computer on-line services are accessed via the Internet. The Internet is a global network of computers. One popular part of the Internet is the World Wide Web, or the "Web." The World Wide Web contains computers that display graphical and textual information. Computers that provide information on the World Wide Web are typically called "Web sites." A Web site is defined by an Internet address that has an associated electronic page, often called a "home page." Generally, a home page is an electronic document that organizes the presentation of text, graphical images, audio and video into a desired display. These Web sites are operated by a wide variety of entities, which are typically called "providers."
A user may access the Internet via a dedicated high-speed line or by using a personal computer (PC) equipped with a conventional modem or a variety of other wired and wireless devices. Special interface software, called "browser" software, is installed within the PC or other access device. When the user wishes to access the Internet by normal telephone line, an attached modem is automatically instructed to dial the telephone number associated with the local Internet host server. The user can then access information at any address accessible over the Internet. Two well-known web browsers, for example, are the Netscape Navigator browser marketed by Netscape Communications Corporation and the Internet Explorer browser marketed by Microsoft Corporation.
Information exchanged over the Internet is typically encoded in HyperText Mark-up Language (HTML) format. The HTML format is a scripting language that is used to generate the home pages for different content providers. In this setting, a content provider is an individual or company that places information (content) on the Internet so that others can access it. As is well known in the art, the HTML format is a set of conventions for marking different portions of a document so that each portion appears in a distinctive format. For example, the HTML format identifies or "tags" portions of a document to identify different categories of text (e.g., the title, header, body text, etc.). When a web browser accesses an HTML document, the web browser reads the embedded tags in the document so it appears formatted in the specified manner.
An HTML document can also include hyperlinks, which allow a user to move from one document to another document on the Internet. A hyperlink is an underlined or otherwise emphasized portion of text that, when selected using an input device such as a mouse, activates a software connection module that allows the user to jump between documents or pages (i.e., within the same Web site or to otlier Web sites). Hyperlinks are well known in the art, and have been sometimes referred to as anchors. The act of selecting the hyperlink is often referred to as "clicking on" the hyperlink.
Some grocery shopping utilizing Internet-based web sites has been available for five or more years, allowing the user to select and purchase for delivery, or pick up, items offered by retailers. Typically these web sites have either been specific to a particular retailer, traditional or web-based, or, more recently, for a limited number of retailers in a particular geographic area. Despite the availability of these shopping methods, it is well known that users have frequently been unwilling to use these methods for their routine grocery shopping. For example, users must utilize a cumbersome and rigidly structured hierarchical menu to select items for purchase. This approach is counter to the way most people approach grocery shopping, identifying items individually or by relatedness, such as selecting ingredients from a recipe. Additionally, users have been unable to price-compare like items between stores, making it difficult to decide where to shop. In addition users often wish to price-compare brands in the same store quickly, a feature not heretofore readily provided.
Furthermore, it is rarely within the users' coupon resources to locate the specific coupons for most or all of the items on their grocery list for a particular shopping experience. To date, users must select coupons from the newspaper or from Internet-based coupon sources and manually match the coupons to their purchases. This approach of manually matching coupons to purchases results in significant missed opportunities for users. In addition, when users have matched the coupons with their purchases there have been limited methods for redeeming the coupons, except at the time of purchase by physical presentation of the coupon.
Most importantly, Internet grocery shopping has based its revenue generation on delivery fees and charging more for the products purchased by the user. Most, if not all, grocers create separate warehouses for their Internet-based grocery establishments, and therefore, offer a limited selection of items at a higher cost to the user. As evidenced by the number of failures of Internet grocery shopping web sites this arrangement has been largely unsuccessful. Further evidence of the difficulties with existing methods has been the limited number of users attracted to grocery shopping on the Internet.
Finally, users have not been presented with opportunities to utilize other tools to make the shopping effort more efficient and effective. Particularly, users have had to manually maintain reminders, capture items for purchase on scraps of paper or elsewhere to reuse what they need. They have been required to transcribe items required from their own recipes and meal plans onto the previously available web sites. Similarly, they have been required to transcribe quantities from recipes, meal plans and weekly menu plans which can be time consuming and result in items being missed.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object and feature of the present invention to provide a solution to these above-mentioned problems of the prior art by presenting a new and effective system for interactively shopping for groceries on the Internet - a new approach to grocery shopping by thinking "out of the box".
It is a further object and feature of the invention to require users to register on the web site and provide specific demographic information to be eligible to receive the benefits of use of the web site such as menu creation and coupon downloads; this invention not only stores exact/specific demographic information, but also impels the user to the grocery store (brick and mortar) committed and prepared to shop.
It is a further object and feature of this invention to provide to users the ability to create shopping lists from a simple set of input screens using common text terms (milk, eggs, butter, etc.) and specific products (such as Kraft Sharp Cheddar 4oz., etc.). It is a further object and feature of this invention that the user can also select relevant products to purchase from a previously completed shopping list.
It is a further object and feature of this invention that the user may elect to have coupons related to the products selected for purchase downloaded for printing or downloaded to the user's "savings card" for the Grocery Store where the selected products will be purchased. Thus, receiving coupons for the selected items is an automatic feature which saves the user time by eliminating the extra effort to create the list by reviewing and selecting coupons; the user automatically receives all available coupons applicable to their purchases.
It is a further object and feature hereof that items are suggested to the user based upon the user's prior shopping habits, and the items with which the user has chosen to create a shopping list (e.g., you select potatoes, butter and chives - the system presents an advertisement for a brand of sour cream). It is a further object and feature of the invention to automatically suggest products to the user based on best regular price or retailer's specials.
Moreover, it is an additional object and feature of this invention to provide users the opportunity to view recipes provided from a variety of sources including food
Manufacturers and diet plans and to input and store their own recipes. And it is another object and feature of another aspect hereof to provide users the ability to alter recipes to meet numbers of servings or dietary requirements, including identifying specific products that meet selected dietary preferences whether medical or national popular diet plans or religious, e.g., Kosher, Islamic, etc., and store the changes for future use. And it is another object and feature of another aspect hereof to provide users the ability to include ingredients of any recipe in their current shopping list or to convert a recipe into a shopping list, including converting the user's own recipes into a shopping list.
It is yet another object and feature of another aspect hereof to provide the user the ability to include any recipe, theirs or others, in a meal or menu plan that is stored for the user on the web site. And it is another object and feature of another aspect hereof to provide the user the ability to include any required ingredients of a meal or menu plan in their current shopping list.
It is a further object and feature of the invention to present to users manufacturer's advertisements, grocers' promotion and related item retailer's promotions based on the items included in the user's current shopping list, providing the user the opportunity to take advantage of savings on related products. It is a further object and feature of the invention to allow the user to compare prices and availability of specific products for different retailers or different brands at a single retailer location.
It is a further object and feature of the invention to allow the user to indicate items from the user's shopping list to be included in the user's pantry. It is a further objective and feature of the invention that pantry items may be included on the user's shopping list when the user concludes the items should be purchased.
Moreover, it is another object and feature of another aspect this invention to make available certain diet plans for review and reference by the user, and if the user chooses, to have a selected diet plan's criteria, such as low fat, low salt or specified products, to be used to suggest items as the user selects products based on their shopping list; and, in this manner, the user's grocery list can be filtered (by computer) by dietary requirements and items best matched to the user's needs by the system. And it is a further object and feature hereof to permit the user to view nutritional-content labels for products without having to create a shopping list.
It is a further object and feature of the invention to provide users with the ability to select products as they are shopping and designate them as charitable contributions and to provide the user a summary of the dollar value their total contributions on request, thus making the opportunity to so give to charity effortless. It is a further object and feature of the invention that products selected as charitable contributions be communicated to the retailer for distribution to the selected charitable organization by the retailer. It is a further object and feature of the invention that all user profiles and purchase history be stored in a database. It is a further object and feature of the invention that analyses of the user profile information and purchasing history are provided to retailers, Manufacturers, coupon clearinghouses, and diet plans and possibly others on a fee basis. It is an additional feature of the invention that users will be allowed to utilize the web site at no charge to them as method for increasing overall usage of the invention.
It is a further object and feature of the invention to utilize a user's personal digital assistant or similar device for collecting shopping list items and uploading those items to the user's storage area on the company's website. It is a further object and feature of the invention to utilize a user's personal digital assistant or similar device for downloading a user's shopping list or the list of specific products to be purchased, organized according to the store's layout, to allow the user to simplify the user's shopping experience at the retailer. It is a further object and feature of the invention to allow the user to print either the shopping list or the specific product list, organized according to the store's layout, including the grocer's code numbers.
It is a still further object and feature of this invention that kiosks are provided within the store for use by customers to do those things of the system of this invention at the store that they might do at their home computer.
And it is a feature of this invention to provide each and every feature and advantage and business method and computer system described, mentioned or suggested anywhere in this application, including all tables, figures, and other material therein, especially including the within Summary of the Invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, this invention provides
Internet web site shopping method and system comprising: database means for storing at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; database means for storing information describing at least two unrelated grocery stores; computer processor means for relating at least one particular grocery item to at least one grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; interface means for user selecting of such at least two unrelated grocery stores; interface means for user selecting of such at least one grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; computer processor means for presenting such comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item available in such selected at least two grocery stores related to such selected at least one grocery item general description; and interface means for user selecting of such at least one particular grocery item to be purchased at such at least one selected grocery store. Additionally, this invention provides such a system comprising: computer processor means for adding such selected at least one grocery item general description to at least one shopping list; database means for storing such at least one shopping list; interface means for user selecting of such at least one shopping list; interface means for user selecting such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one shopping list; and computer processor means for removing such at least on grocery item general description from such at least one shopping list.
Moreover, this invention provides such a system further comprising: computer processor means for receiving at least one recipe from at least one grocery item manufacturer; database means for storing such at least one recipe; computer processor means for displaying such at least one recipe; interface means for user inputting of such at least one recipe; computer processor means for adding such at least one grocery item general description to such at least one recipe; computer processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item to such at least one recipe; interface means for user selecting of such at least one recipe; computer processor means for adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one recipe to such at least one shopping list; and computer processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one recipe to such at least one shopping list. It also provides such a system further comprising: interface means for user inputting of meal plans; database means for storing meal plans; computer processor means for adding such at least one recipe to such at least one meal plan; computer processor means for adding such at least one grocery item general description to such at least one meal plan; computer processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item to such at least one meal plan; interface means for user selecting of such at least one meal plan; computer processor means for adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one meal plan to such at least one shopping list; and computer processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one meal plan to such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system further comprising: interface means for user inputting of menu plans; database means for storing menu plans; computer processor means for adding such at least one meal plan to such at least one menu plan; interface means for user selecting of such at least one menu plan; computer processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list; and computer processor means for adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list.
Moreover, this invention provides such a system further comprising: computer processor means for receiving such information describing such at least two unrelated grocery stores; and, also, further comprising: computer processor means for receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, such at least one particular grocery item comparison information; and computer processor means for receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, shelf location information related to such at least one particular grocery item. And it provides such a system further comprising: computer processor means for adding such selected at least one particular grocery item to at least one purchases list; computer processor means for transferring such at least one purchases list to such selected at least one grocery store; and interface means for permitting user access to at least one shopping web site for such selected at least one grocery store. It also provides such a system further comprising: computer processor means for adding such selected at least one particular grocery item to at least one purchases list; computer processor means for transferring such at least one purchases list to such selected at least one grocery store; interface means for permitting user access to at least one shopping web site for such selected at least one grocery store; interface means for user selecting of such at least one shopping list; interface means for user selecting of at least one such particular grocery item from such selected shopping list; interface means for user selecting of such at least one grocery store; computer processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item to purchases list for such selected grocery store; and database means for storing such at least one purchases list for such selected grocery store.
Additionally, this invention provides such a system wherein such interface means for user selecting of such at least two grocery stores comprises: interface means for user selecting of at least one preferred shopping area; and interface means for user selecting of such at least two unrelated grocery stores within such at least one preferred shopping area; and, also, further comprising computer processor means for receiving such information describing such at least two unrelated grocery stores; ans, also, further comprising: computer processor means for receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, such at least one particular grocery item comparison information; and computer processor means for receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, shelf location information related to such at least one particular grocery item. And it provides such a system further comprising: computer processor means for adding such selected at least one particular grocery item to at least one purchases list; computer processor means for transferring such at least one purchases list to such selected at least one grocery store; and interface means for permitting user access to at least one shopping web site for such selected at least one grocery store; and, also, further comprising computer processor means for transferring such at least one purchases list to at least one PDA; and, also, further comprising printer means for printing such at least one purchases list; and, also, further comprising computer processor means for saving such at least one purchases list as such at least one shopping list.
Yet in addition, the present invention provides such a system further comprising: computer processor means for saving such at least one purchases list as at least one pantry list; database means for storing such at least one pantry list; interface means for user selecting of such at least one particular grocery item to be added to such at least one pantry list; interface means for user selecting of such at least one particular grocery item to be removed from such at least one pantry list; interface means for user selecting of such at least one particular pantry list; and computer processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one pantry list to such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system further comprising: interface means for user designating of such at least one particular grocery item included in such at least one purchases list as a charitable donation; and computer processor means for transferring such charitable donation information to such at least one such selected at least one grocery store; and, also, further comprising: interface means for registering such at least one user; database means for storing demographic information of such at least one user; and computer processor means for recording such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user.
Even further, this invention provides such a system further comprising: computer processor means for receiving at least one grocery item manufacturers ' coupon related to such at least one particular grocery item; computer processor means for storing such at least one grocery item manufacturer ' s coupon information related to such at least one particular grocery item; interface means for displaying such at least one grocery item manufacturer' s coupons related to such at least one particular grocery item; computer processor means for transferring such at least one grocery item manufacturer' s coupons related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user to such selected at least one grocery store; computer processor transferring such at least one grocery item manufacturer ' s coupon related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user to at least one PDA; and printer means printing such at least one grocery item manufacturer ' s coupon related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user. It also provides such a system further comprising: computer processor means for receiving at least one diet plan; database means for storing such at least one diet plan; computer processor means for receiving at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; database means for storing such at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; interface means for user selecting of such at least one diet plan; computer processor means for relating such at least one dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet plan to such at least one particular grocery item; and computer processor means for presenting such at least one particular grocery item related to both such at least one dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet plan and to such selected at least one grocery item general description ahead of such at least one particular grocery item related only to such selected at least one grocery item general description. And it provides such a system comprising: computer processor means for receiving advertising information; computer processor means for relating such advertising information to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase; and computer processor means for presenting to such at least one user such advertising information related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase.
Moreover, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, this invention provides Internet web site shopping method and system comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of at least two unrelated grocery stores in at least one geographic area to provide descriptive grocery store information for such at least two grocery stores; making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to provide comparison information for at least one particular grocery item for at least two grocery stores; storing at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; retrieving from such at least two unrelated grocery stores such grocery store description information; retrieving from such at least two grocery stores such comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item; storing linkage between at least one such grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of such plurality of such grocery item general descriptions and such comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item; permitting user selection of such at least two unrelated grocery stores; permitting user selection of such at least one grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; displaying such comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item available in such selected at least two grocery stores related to such selected at least one grocery item general description; permitting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item to be purchased at such at least one selected grocery store; and storing such selected at least one particular grocery item to be purchased at such at least one selected grocery store as a purchases list.
Also, this invention provides such a system wherein the step of permitting user selection of such at least two unrelated grocery stores further comprises the steps of: permitting user selection of at least one preferred shopping area; and permitting user selection of such at least two unrelated grocery stores within such at least one preferred shopping area. And it provides such a system wherein the step of permitting user selection of such at least one grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions further comprises the steps of: adding such selected at least one grocery item general description to at least one shopping list; and storing such at least one shopping list. It also provides such a system further comprising the steps of: permitting user selection of such at least one shopping list; and permitting user selection of such at least one grocery item general description from selected such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: recruiting such at least one user; registering such at least one user; storing demographic information of such at least one user; and recording such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user as user purchases history. And it provides such a system further comprising the step of making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery store to receive such user purchases history. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to provide compensation for receiving such user purchases history; and malcing arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to provide compensation for display of such at least one particular grocery item available at such at least two unrelated grocery stores.
Yet moreover, this invention provides such a system further comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to accept such at least one purchases list containing such selected at least one particular grocery item; making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to accept at least one user discount card enrollment information; and making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to allow such at least one user access to grocery shopping web sites of such at least two unrelated grocery stores. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide nutrition labeling information for such at least one particular grocery item; and making arrangements with management of at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide at least one recipe prepared by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: retrieving such nutrition labeling information for such at least one particular grocery item; displaying such nutrition labeling information for such selected at least one particular grocery item; making arrangements with management of such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to receive user purchases history; and making arrangements with management of such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide compensation for receiving such user purchases history; and making arrangements with management of such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide compensation for presenting such recipe prepared by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of at least one coupon clearinghouse to provide coupon information related to such at least one particular grocery item; retrieving such coupon information from such at least one coupon clearinghouse related to such selected such at least one particular grocery item; displaying such coupon information from such at least one coupon clearinghouse related to such selected such at least one particular grocery item; making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to accept such coupon information related to such selected such at least one particular grocery item; making arrangements with such management of such at least one coupon clearinghouse to receive such user purchases history; and making arrangements with management of such at least one particular grocery coupon clearing house to provide compensation for providing such user purchases history. And it provides such a system further comprising the step of transferring such at least one such coupon information to at least one PDA; and, also, further comprising the step of printing such at least one such coupon information; and, also, further comprising the step of making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to associate such coupon information related to such selected at least one particular grocery item with such at least one user discount card.
And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of at least one Diet Plan Provider to use at least one diet plan; making arrangements with management of at least one Diet Plan Provider to provide general plan information related to such at least one diet plan; making arrangements with management of at least one Diet Plan Provider to provide at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; receiving such general plan information related to such at least one diet plan; receiving such at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; storing such general plan information related to such at least one diet plan; storing such at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; permitting user selection of such at least one diet plan; relating such at least one dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet plan to such at least one particular grocery item; presenting such at least one particular grocery item related to both such at least one dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet plan and to such at least one grocery item general description ahead of such at least one particular grocery item related only to such at least one grocery item general description; making arrangements with such management of such at least one Diet Plan Provider to receive user usage pattern information for such at least one diet plan; making arrangements with such management of such at least one Diet Plan Provider to receive such user purchases history; making arrangements with management of such at least one particular Diet Plan Provider to provide compensation for providing such user usage pattern information for such at least one diet plan; and making arrangements with management of such at least one particular
Diet Plan Provider to provide compensation for providing such user purchases history. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of at least one advertising server to receive advertising information related to grocery shopping; making arrangements with management of at least one advertising server to receive advertising information related to such at least one particular grocery item; presenting such advertising information related to grocery shopping; presenting such advertising information related to such at least one particular grocery item relating to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase; permitting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item related to such advertising information related to such at least one particular grocery item; and adding such selected at least one particular grocery item to such at least one shopping list.
Even further, this invention provides such a system further comprising the steps of: saving such at least one purchases list as such at least one pantry list; storing such at least one pantry list; permitting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item to be added to such at least one pantry list; permitting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item to be removed from such at least one pantry list; permitting user selection of such at least one particular pantry list; and adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one pantry list to such at least one shopping list.
And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: permitting user selection of such at least one shopping list; permitting user selection of at least one such particular grocery item from such selected shopping list; permitting user selection of such at least one grocery store; adding such plurality of grocery items to purchases list for such selected grocery store; and storing such at least one purchases list for such selected grocery store.
And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of at least two unrelated grocery stores to accept charitable donation information related to such at least one particular grocery item; permitting user designation of such at least one particular grocery item included in such at least one purchases list as a charitable donation; and transferring such charitable donation information to such at least one grocery store. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: permitting user input of at least one user recipe; permitting user addition of such at least one grocery item general description to such at least one user recipe; permitting user addition of such at least one particular grocery item to such at least one user recipe; permitting user selection of such at least one user recipe; adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one user recipe to such at least one shopping list; and adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one user recipe to such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: making arrangements with management of at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide nutrition labeling information for such at least one particular grocery item; and making arrangements with management of at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide at least one recipe prepared by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer.
Yet in addition, this invention provides such a system further comprising the steps of: displaying such at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer; permitting user selection of such at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer; permitting user modification of such selected at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer; permitting user saving modified such selected at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer as such at least one user recipe; adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to such at least one shopping list; and adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: permitting user inputting of at least one meal plan; storing such at least one meal plan; permitting user selection of such at least one user recipe; adding of such selected at least one user recipe to such at least one meal plan; permitting user selection of such at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer; adding such selected at least one recipe prepared by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to such at least one meal plan; permitting user addition of such at least one grocery item general description to such at least one meal plan; permitting user addition of such at least one particular grocery item to such at least one meal plan; permitting user selection of such at least one meal plan; permitting user addition of such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one meal plan to such at least one shopping list; and permitting user addition of such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one meal plan to such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: permitting user input of at least one menu plan; storing such at least one menu plan; permitting user addition of such at least one meal plan to such at least one menu plan; permitting user selection of such at least one menu plan; adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list; and adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system wherein comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item comprises grocery item manufacturer UPC coding for such at least one particular grocery item; and price information such at least one particular grocery item; and, also, wherein comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item further comprises grocery store shelf location information such at least one particular grocery item; and, also, further comprising the step of transferring such at least one purchases list to at least one PDA; and, also further comprising the step of printing such at least one purchases list.
Even additionally, according to a preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a computer software system having a set of instructions for an Internet web site shopping system, such instructions enabling the steps of: storing at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; storing information describing at least two unrelated grocery stores; relating at least one particular grocery item to at least one grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; storing, for each of such at least two unrelated grocery stores, comparison information relating to such at least one particular grocery item; assisting user selection of such at least two unrelated grocery stores; assisting selecting of such at least one grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; presenting such comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item available in such selected at least two grocery stores related to such selected at least one grocery item general description; and assisting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item to be purchased at such at least one selected grocery store. And it provides such a system further comprising: adding such selected at least one grocery item general description to at least one shopping list; storing such at least one shopping list; assisting user selection of such at least one shopping list; assisting user selection such at least one grocery item general description from selected such at least one shopping list; and removing such at least on grocery item general description from such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system 2 further comprising: receiving at least one recipe from at least one grocery item manufacturer; storing such at least one recipe; displaying such at least one recipe; assisting user input of such at least one recipe; adding such at least one grocery item general description to such at least one recipe; adding such at least one particular grocery item to such at least one recipe; assisting user selection of such at least one recipe; adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one recipe to such at least one shopping list; and adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one recipe to such at least one shopping list.
Yet moreover, this invention provides such a system further comprising: assisting user input of meal plans; storing meal plans; adding such at least one recipe to such at least one meal plan; adding such at least one grocery item general description to such at least one meal plan; adding such at least one particular grocery item to such at least one meal plan; assisting user selection of such at least one meal plan; adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one meal plan to such at least one shopping list; and adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one meal plan to such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system further comprising: assisting user input of menu plans; storing menu plans; adding such at least one meal plan to such at least one menu plan; assisting user selection of such at least one menu plan; adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list; and adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system further comprising receiving such information describing such at least two unrelated grocery stores. And it provides such a system further comprising: receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, such at least one particular grocery item comparison information; and receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, shelf location information related to such at least one particular grocery item; and, also, further comprising adding such selected at least one particular grocery item to at least one purchases list; transferring such at least one purchases list to such selected at least one grocery store; and assisting user access to at least one shopping web site for such selected at least one grocery store. And it provides such a system further comprising the steps of: assisting user selection of such at least one shopping list; assisting user selecting of a plurality of such particular grocery items from such selected shopping list; assisting user selection of such at least one grocery store; adding such plurality of grocery items to purchases list for such selected grocery store; and storing such at least one purchases list for such selected grocery store. And it provides such a system wherein such at least one computer interface system structured and arranged to assist user selection of such at least two grocery stores comprises: assisting user selection of at least one preferred shopping area; and assisting user selection of such at least two unrelated grocery stores within such at least one preferred shopping area; and, also, further comprising receiving such information describing such at least two unrelated grocery stores.
Still further, this invention provides such a system further comprising: receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, such at least one particular grocery item comparison information; and receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, shelf location information related to such at least one particular grocery item. And it provides such a system further comprising: adding such selected at least one particular grocery item to at least one purchases list; transferring such at least one purchases list to such selected at least one grocery store; and assisting user access to at least one shopping web site for such selected at least one grocery store; and, also further comprising transferring such at least one purchases list to at least one PDA; and, also, further comprising printing such at least one purchases list; and, also, further comprising saving such at least one purchases list as such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system further comprising: saving such at least one purchases list as at least one pantry list; storing such at least one pantry list; assisting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item to be added to such at least one pantry list; assisting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item to be removed from such at least one pantry list; assisting user selection of such at least one particular pantry list; and adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one pantry list to such at least one shopping list. And it provides such a system further comprising: assisting user designation of such at least one particular grocery item included in such at least one purchases list as a charitable donation; and transferring such charitable donation information to such at least one such selected at least one grocery store. And it provides such a system further comprising: assisting registering such at least one user; storing demographic information of such at least one user; and recording such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user.
Still in addition, this invention provides such a system further comprising: receiving at least one grocery item manufacturers ' coupon related to such at least one particular grocery item; storing such at least one grocery item manufacturer' s coupon information related to such at least one particular grocery item; assisting displaying such at least one grocery item manufacturer ' s coupons related to such at least one particular grocery item; transferring such at least one grocery item manufacturer ' s coupons related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user to such selected at least one grocery store; transferring such at least one grocery item manufacturer' s coupon related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user to at least one PDA; and printing such at least one grocery item manufacturer' s coupon related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user. And it provides such a system further comprising: receiving at least one diet plan; storing such at least one diet plan; receiving at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; storing such at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; assisting user selection of such at least one diet plan; relating such at least one dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet plan to such at least one particular grocery item; and presenting such at least one particular grocery item related to both such at least one dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet plan and to such selected at least one grocery item general description ahead of such at least one particular grocery item related only to such selected at least one grocery item general description. And it provides such a system further comprising: receiving advertising information; relating such advertising information to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase; and presenting to such at least one user such advertising information related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase.
DEFINITIONS, ACRONYMS AND CROSS-REFERENCES Client-Server - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a model of interaction in a distributed system in which a program at one site sends a request to a program at another site and waits for a response. The requesting program is called the "client," and the program, which responds to the request, is called the "server." In the context of the World Wide Web, the client is typically a "Web browser", which runs on a user's computer; the program which responds to Web browser requests at a Web site is commonly referred to as a "Web server." Coupon - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to discounts offered by Manufacturers and others as an incentive to purchase any particular grocery item. Coupons typically include restrictions such as period of validity, quantity of product that must be purchased, and package size limitations
Diet Plan Provider - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to companies with develop and market diet plans.
Diet Plan - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to weight loss programs, nutritional programs or other programs designed to manage one or more aspects of food consumption by humans.
Diet Plan Requirement - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to specific directions to be followed by individuals adhering to any particular diet plan. Examples, of diet plan requirements include, but are not limited to, the following: low fat, no fat, low sugar, no sugar, no salt, no carbohydrates, etc. Diet plan requirements may also include specific grocery items such as Weight Watchers brand products.
Domain Name System (DNS) - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to an Internet service that translates domain names (which are alphabetic identifiers) into IP addresses (which are numeric identifiers for machines on a TCP/IP network).
Grocery item — This term is sometimes used herein to refer to specific products commonly sold by Grocery Storey stores. A grocery item is not necessarily limited to food products. Examples may include Kraft Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Miller Lite Beer, etc.
Grocery Item Comparison Information — This term is sometimes used herein to refer to information about a specific grocery item. Comparison information includes, but is not limited to, manufacturer, brand name, product name, container size, price, price per unit, discounts, special offer pricing and nutrition information.
Grocery Item General Description - This term is sometimes used herein to common terms used to refer to grocery items without reference to manufacturer or container size. Examples include: milk, eggs, butter, cheese, green beans, corn, cereal, etc.
Grocery store - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to retail outlets whose primary business is sale of food products to the public from a geographic location. These retail outlets may be owned and managed as a single stores, or owned and managed as group or "chain" of stores. HyperText Markup Language (HTML) - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a standard coding convention and set of codes for attaching presentation and linking attributes to informational content within documents. During a document authoring stage, the HTML codes (referred to as "tags") are embedded within the informational content of the document. When the Web document (or "HTML document") is subsequently transferred from a Web server to a Web browser, the codes are interpreted by the Web browser and used to parse and display the document. In addition to specifying how the Web browser is to display the document, HTML tags can be used to create links to other websites and other Web documents (commonly referred to as "hyperlinks"). For more information on HTML, see Ian S. Graham, The HTML Source Book, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1995 (ISBN 0471-11894-4).
HyperText Transport Protocol (HTTP) - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to the standard World Wide Web client-server protocol used for the exchange of information (such as HTML documents, and client requests for such documents) between a Web browser and a Web server. HTTP includes a number of different types of messages that can be sent from the client to the server to request different types of server actions. For example, a "GET" message, which has the format GET, causes the server to return the document or file located at the specified Universal Resource Locator (URL).
Internet - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a collection of interconnected (public and/or private) networks that are linked together by a set of standard protocols to form a distributed network. While this term is intended to refer to what is now commonly known as the Internet, it is also intended to encompass variations, which may be made in the future, including changes and additions to existing standard protocols.
LAN (Local Area Network) - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a system that links together electronic office equipment, such as computers and word processors, and forms a network within an office or building.
Meal Plan - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a list of items to be served for a meal. The list of items to be served may include any or all of the following: typical grocery item descriptions (milk, eggs, etc.), specific grocery items (Kraft Sharp Cheddar Cheese, etc.), recipes by name.
Menu Plan - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a list of meals to be served on a date or series of dates. A menu plan may include any or all of the following: named meal plans, recipes by name, typical grocery item descriptions, specific grocery items.
PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a small hand held computer with or without wireless access to the Internet. A lightweight, hand-held, usually pen-based computer used as a personal organizer.
Purchases List- This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a list of specific grocery items the user intends to purchase. The list may include, but is not limited to, the following: brand name, product, UPC code, number of items, package size price per package, extended price, shelf location, etc. The term shopping cart is also sometimes used with the same meaning.
Purchasing Method - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to method used by a shopper to acquire their selected items from any particular store. These methods may include, but are not limited to, delivery, selected items pre-packed and ready for pick up, or a shopping list organized by store which may be printed or downloaded to a PDA.
Recipe - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a list of ingredients and quantities required to prepare a food item such as macaroni and cheese or turkey tetrazinni. Recipes also generally contain preparation instructions. The list of ingredients my include, but is not limited to, typical grocery item descriptions and specific grocery items.
Shopping Area - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a geographic area, selected by a user, in which the user wishes to shop for groceries. A shopping area may be based on a specified distance from particular zip code, a specified distance from a specified intersection of streets or the boundaries of specified city, or some other method of selecting a shopping area.
Shopping Cart - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a list of specific grocery items the user intends to purchase. The list may include, but is not limited to, the following: brand name, product, UPC code, number of items, package size price per package, extended price, shelf location, etc. The term purchases list is also sometimes used with the same meaning.
Shopping List - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a list of containing grocery items general descriptions and specific grocery items used by users to find and select specific grocery items at selected grocery stores. Items on the shopping list may come from user input, inclusion of recipe ingredients, meal plan grocery items and menu plan grocery items.
Grocery Shopping Web Site Server- This term is sometimes used herein to refer to the web site server on which applicant's system is installed and on which users conduct their shopping.
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) - This term is sometimes used herein to a standard Internet protocol (or set of protocols) which specifies how two computers exchange data over the Internet. TCP/IP handles issues such as packetization, packet addressing, handshaking and error correction. For more information on TCP/IP, see Volumes I, II and III of Comer and Stevens, Internetworking with TCP/IP, Prentice Hall, Inc., ISBNs 0-13-468505-9 (vol. I), 0-13-125527-4 (vol. II), and 0-13-474222-2 (vol. III).
Uniform Resource Locator (URL) - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a unique address which fully specifies the location of a file or other resource on the Internet. The general format of a URL is protocol ://machine address:port/path/filename. The port specification is optional, and if none is entered by the user, the Web browser defaults to the standard port for whatever service is specified as the protocol. For example, if HTTP is specified as the protocol, the Web browser will use the HTTP default port. The machine address in this example is the domain name for the computer or device on which the file is located.
UPC (Universal Product Code) - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a combination of a bar code and numbers by which a scanner can identify a product and usually assign a price. UPCs are managed by the Uniform Code Council which maintains standards and controls issuance of the manufacturer identification number portion of the code. Each manufacturer is responsible for managing the remainder of the code.
WAN (Wide Area Network) - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to a communications network that uses such devices as telephone lines, satellite dishes, or radio waves to span a larger geographic area than can be covered by a LAN.
Web Site Operator - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to either an entity which has rights to operate the Grocery Shopping Web Site server in the manner intended by this invention under agreement with applicant or to the applicant.
World Wide Web ("Web") - This term is sometimes used herein to refer to generally to both (1) a distributed collection of interlinked, user- iewable hypertext documents (commonly referred to as "Web documents", "Web pages", "electronic pages" or "home pages") that are accessible via the Internet, and (2) the client and server software components that provide user access to such documents using standardized Internet protocols. Currently, the primary standard protocol for allowing applications to locate and acquire Web documents is the HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and the electronic pages are encoded using the HyperText Markup Language (HTML). However, the terms "World Wide Web" and "Web" are intended to encompass future markup languages and transport protocols that may be used in place of or in addition to the HyperText Markup Language and the HyperText Transfer Protocol.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of the hardware architecture of the Internet.
FIG. 2 illustrates a typical hardware structure of a typical website where the primary web site functions are shared between tliree computers.
FIG. 3 illustrates the typical communications between the web site components and the user's workstation.
FIG. 4 illustrates an overview of the web site shopping system implemented in an Internet environment, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates applicant's business method of an Internet web site shopping system, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates the overall shopping flow for a user using applicant's Internet web site shopping system and method, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a use case description of the web site log in process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a use case description of a product search within a particular zip code process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a use case description of a user account sign up process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a use case description of a zip code and store selection process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a use case description of a shopping list creation process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a use case description of a saved shopping list access process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a use case description of a print a shopping list process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a use case description of a download a shopping list to a personal digital assistant process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a use case description of a save the current shopping list to a user's account process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a use case description of a send a shopping list to a store to place an order process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a use case description of a shopping list item nutritional information request process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a use case description of an in-store sales and promotions information request process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a use case description of a request available manufacturer's coupons process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a use case description of a download or print any manufacturer's coupons process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a use case description of a sign up for a store savings card process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 22 is a use case description of a look up nutritional content of a food item process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 23 is a use case description of a browse recipes process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 24 is a use case description of a recipe creation process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 25 is a use case description of an edit /delete a recipe process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 26 is a use case description of a define a meal for a menu plan process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 27 is a use case description of a create a meal plan process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 28 is a use case description of an edit/delete a meal process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 29 is a use case description of an alert when food is running low process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 30 is a use case description of a disable/modify alert when food is running low process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 31 is a use case description of a PDA software installation on a personal digital assistant process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 32 is a use case description of a PDA shopping list creation process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 33 is a use case description of a PDA shopping list edit/delete process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 34 is a use case description of a PDA shopping list upload to user account process, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 35 illustrates a sample web site home page screen presented to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 36 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user to log in for complete web site access, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 37 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user for completing web site registration, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 38 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user for selecting the preferred stores where the user wishes to shop, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 39 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user showing the results of selecting preferred stores, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 40 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user providing more detailed information about one of the preferred stores, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 41 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user for searching for a store using one of several search criteria, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 42 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user showing the results of using the search criteria, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 43 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user showing selection of an additional preferred store, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 44 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user displaying the diet plans available on the web site, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 45 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user providing more detailed information about an offered diet plan, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 46 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user indicating which diet plan has been selected as preferred, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 47 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user after successful completion of the registration process, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 48 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user for applying for a store savings card, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 49 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user after successfully registering for an in-store savings card, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 50 illustrates a sample screen used to search for in-store specials and promotion at a selected store, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 51 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user showing the in-store specials for a selected store, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 52 illustrates a sample screen used by the user to find available coupons, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 53 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user showing the results of a search for available coupons, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 54 illustrates a sample screen showing coupon detail to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 55 illustrates a sample screen which presents the shopping area home page of the web site to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 56 - A illustrates a sample screen used to select grocery item general descriptions for addition to user's shopping list, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 56 - B illustrates a sample screen which indicates the result of selecting and adding a particular grocery item to the user's shopping list from a product advertisement, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 57 illustrates a sample screen presenting a current shopping list to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 58 illustrates a sample screen which presents the particular grocery items related to a grocery item general description on the user's current shopping list to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 59 illustrates a sample screen presenting a completed purchases list showing the selected particular grocery items and remaining grocery item general descriptions which have not been resolved to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 60 illustrates a sample screen presenting the completed purchases list summarized by preferred store to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 61 illustrates a sample screen indicated to the user that the purchases list has been used to update the user's pantry list, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 62 illustrates a sample screen a printed version of a purchases list and related coupons for a preferred store, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 63 illustrates a sample screen which presents a list of saved shopping list to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 64 illustrates a sample screen presenting the detail of grocery item general descriptions and particular grocery items contained in a specific saved shopping list, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 65 illustrates a sample screen providing nutritional information for a product as requested by the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 66 illustrates a sample screen where the user may select which stores will be searched for the lowest prices for selected items or search for additional stores, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 67 illustrates a sample screen presented to the user for searching for a store using one of several search criteria, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 68 illustrates a sample screen which allows the user to select which stores will be added to the user's list of preferred stores, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 69 illustrates a sample screen which presents the result of adding an additional preferred store to the user's list of preferred stores, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 70 illustrates a sample screen where the user has selected which stores will be searched for the lowest prices for selected items, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 71 illustrates a sample screen displaying the purchases list of particular items to be purchased at a specific store, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 72 illustrates a sample screen for the user account home page (My Shark), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 73 illustrates a sample screen presents a list of the items currently in the user's pantry list, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 74 illustrates a sample screen presenting suggested recipes matching the items checked from the pantry list, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 75 illustrates a sample screen presents the details of one of the suggested recipes matching the items checked from the pantry list, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 76 illustrates a sample screen which confirms that a manufacturer's recipe has been added to the user's recipe list, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 77 illustrates a sample screen presenting the recipes home page to the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 78 illustrates a sample screen used by a user to create a recipe and save it on the web site, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 79 illustrates a sample screen for adding a grocery item general description to user's recipe, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 80 illustrates a sample screen for adding a particular grocery item to user's recipe, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 81 illustrates a sample screen for classifying a user's recipe for ease of searching later, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 82 illustrates a sample screen shows the results of classifying a specific user's recipe, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 83 illustrates a sample screen presenting a user's list of meals stored by the system, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 84 illustrates a sample screen which supports the user's creation of a new meal, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 85 illustrates a sample screen shows the result of adding a grocery item general description to a selected meal, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 86 illustrates a sample screen shows the result of adding a particular grocery item to a selected meal, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 87 illustrates a sample screen shows the combined result of adding items to the selected meal the user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 88 illustrates a sample screen for searching for a recipe that may be added to a meal, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 89 illustrates a sample screen presents the results of searching for a recipe that may be added to a meal, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 90 illustrates a sample screen showing the result of adding a recipe to a meal, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 91 illustrates a sample screen presents an updated meal list after a meal has been saved, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 92 illustrates a sample screen presenting a list of menu templates for a user, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 93 illustrates a sample screen presenting a user's list of menu templates stored by the system, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 94 illustrates a sample screen showing a list of meals that may be added to a menu template, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 95 illustrates a sample screen showing the result of adding a selected meal to the menu template, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 96 illustrates a sample screen showing a competed plan for a specific day in the menu template, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 97 illustrates a sample screen that presents a summary of the meals planned for each day covered by the menu template, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 98 illustrates a sample screen presenting the results of saving the updated menu template, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 99 illustrates a sample screen presents a calendar form summarizing all dates for which a menu template has been prepared and saved, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 100 illustrates a sample screen showing brand selection as the first step in finding the best price for a particular grocery item, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 101 illustrates a sample screen showing product selection as the second step in finding the best price for a particular grocery item, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 102 illustrates a sample screen presents the results of searching the user's preferred stores for the best price on a particular grocery item, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 103 illustrates a sample screen showing brand selection as the first step in finding the nutritional information for a particular grocery item, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 104 illustrates a sample screen showing product selection as the second step in finding the nutritional information for a particular grocery item, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 105 illustrates a sample screen presenting the results of searching for the nutrition information on a particular grocery item, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a business method and software system is described with features for interactively shopping for groceries and related household products, especially on the Internet, where the user may create a shopping list, shop for items from the list at one or more selected Grocery Store stores, arrange for pick up or delivery of the selected items and payment, print the list, or download the list into a PDA or like device for use in the store, etc. System and Method Overview
In various embodiments of the system of the present invention, which may embody an appropriate method, apparatus, system configuration and/or computer software (defined as a computer readable medium, for example CD ROM, DVD ROM, floppy disk), are provided which implement the system of grocery shopping described herein.
According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, this system provides the means for a user to create, maintain and utilize personal shopping lists using common text terms (milk, eggs, butter, etc.) and specific products (such as Kraft Sharp Cheddar 4oz., etc.) that, in turn, are used to select the desired products and services from selected retailers, the list of selected products may then be downloaded to the retailers' system or printed by the user for use in personally purchasing the selected products.
Selected items downloaded to the retailers' system will include instructions as to whether the products should be delivered or packed for pick up by the user. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shopping list is sent to the store's system and the store takes it from there, including payment, delivery time, availability of items being delivered/picked-up, etc. Further, according to a preferred embodiment hereof, the present system preferably divides the list into perishables and non-perishables and then sends the list to the store system; then the store verifies items to be gathered and sets up a pick-up time. The present system permits the user to print the shopping list which is divided into perishables and non-perishables, so the user knows which perishables the user needs to pick up in addition to those bagged.
All user payments for selected products, whether for delivery or packed for pick up, are arranged through the retailers' e-commerce or similar system. Shopping on the
Internet and e-commerce are well known, but within the grocery segment of retailing many attempts have failed because the approaches did not adequately consider users' needs or how users prepare for a trip to the supermarket. To enlarge and enhance the user's shopping experience and make use of the users' normal shopping habits and facilitate the use of such systems, users must be provided a number of simple and powerful tools that support and extend the grocery buying experience.
According to an additional preferred embodiment of this invention, this system provides the functions outlined above and includes functions: to access predefined recipes, to create personal recipes, to modify any recipe, to create, modify and delete meal plans and menu plans, to access diet plans, to select a specific diet plan and for the selected recipes, meal and menu plans and diet plans to update the user's shopping list.
According to another preferred embodiment of this invention, the system provides the functions outlined above and provides functions to display the availability of coupons that can then be automatically linked to the products selected, then the coupons can either be printed or downloaded to the user's savings card for the retailer for deduction at the time of payment by the user. Functions are provided to facilitate access to nutrition label information and price comparisons of the same product for multiple retailers and price comparison of similar products at a particular retailer location.
Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the figures. Internet Environment
Referring now to FIG. 1, an overview of the computer hardware environment of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The present invention preferably comprises a computer system 108. The computer system 108 comprises input and output devices as is well known in the art. For example, the computer system 108 preferably comprises a display screen or monitor 104, a keyboard 116, a printer 114, a mouse 106, etc. The computer system 108 further preferably comprises a database 102 for storage of the data and software comprising preferred embodiments of the present invention. The computer system 108 is preferably connected to the Internet 112 that serves as the presently preferred communications medium. The Internet 112, as previously discussed, comprises a global network of networks and computers, public and private. The Internet 112 is the preferable connection method by the users 118, 120, 122 and nnn in preferred embodiments of the present invention.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the computer system 108 is shown in more detail. The computer system 108 in a preferred embodiment comprises a database server 124, an application server 125 and a web server 126. The database server 124 preferably runs the database engine. The application server 125 preferably manages the preferred application software. The web server 126 also preferably operates only as the web server.
Referring to FIG. 3, a simplified functional diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. This figure shows the preferred relationships between a user 118 (exemplary of any number of users 118, 120, 122, nnn), the intemet 112, the web server 126, the application server 125 and the database server 124. As shown, a user 118 requests a page from the web site of the present invention. The user 118 is preferably connected via the internet 112, and the web page request initiates a call to the present invention. The present invention then makes at least one request to the database server 124, and generates an HTML page for transmission to the user 118 following the database server's completion of the present invention's request and transmission of the requested data back to the web server 126. The web server 126 transmits the completed HTML page containing the data requested by the user 118 through the Internet 112 to the user 118. System Architectures
The system architecture of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated with reference to FIG 4. As shown in FIG. 4, this system includes the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409 and required data bases, configured to communicate with one or more users' workstations 406, kiosks 413 at the located grocery store, or similar devices capable of accessing web sites 408 and the providers of the advertising (Advertising Server 405), diets (Diet Plans 403), nutrition information and recipes (Manufacturers 401), store item inventory and promotions (Grocery Stores) and manufacturers' coupons (Coupon Clearinghouses 404) for providing advertising and information to users based on demographics and shopping list items, and retailer grocer web sites 410 411 412 for exchange of products selected for purchase (collectively nodes). Each node is preferably connected directly or indirectly to the web site server via a connection to a network, such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet or the like, via a public switched phone network, dedicated data line, cellular network, Personal Communication System, microwave, satellite networks, cable or the like. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, personal digital assistants 407 may be configured to communicate with users' workstations 406 for sending and receiving shopping lists information. According to a preferred embodiment, applicant's Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409 is implemented as a single general-purpose computer as described below. In another embodiment, the functionality of the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409 is distributed over a plurality of computers. In that embodiment, the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409 is configured in a distributed architecture, wherein the database and processors are housed in separate units or locations and connected via a network connection such as those discussed above. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that an almost unlimited number of controllers may be supported. This arrangement provides a more dynamic and flexible system, which is less prone to catastrophic hardware failures affecting the entire system.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409 is preferably implemented as a single general purpose computer including a central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), an input device, a communications port, a clock, and a mass storage device for storing the Registered User Profiles database, the Menu Plans database, the Diet Plans database, the Item/User Purchase History database, the Nutrition Information database, the Recipes database, the Store Inventory and Promotions database, and the Manufacturer's coupons database. The CPU comprises a conventional microprocessor such as an Intel Pentium processor electrically coupled to each of the other components of the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409.
The CPU executes program code stored in one or more of ROM, RAM and mass storage devices to carry out the functions and acts described in connection with the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409. The CPU comprises at least one high-speed digital data processor adequate to execute program modules for all application functions including, but not limited to executing user login, shopping list creation, presentation of information from the various databases, downloading to retailers and other devices, capturing item and user purchase history, interacting with other external databases for retrieval and distribution of data, and reporting processes. The modules are further described in connection with FIGS. 7-105. The CPU interacts with ROM, RAM and the mass storage device to execute stored program code according to conventional data processing techniques.
According to one embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 4, each user workstation device is a browser based system implemented as a single interactive visual display device, audio device or other like interactive device such as a general purpose computer, phone, or interactive television system. There are many commercial software programs that can enable the communications required by the user workstations with the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409, the primary function being transmission and reception of data through the Internet and presentation of data to the user. Examples of such software programs include the Netscape Navigator browser by Netscape Corporation and the Internet Explorer browser by Microsoft Corporation.
Each user workstation 406 408 is capable of communicating directly and indirectly with the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409. Communication between the user workstation and the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409 is electronic, preferably by means of the Internet, and preferably includes conventional high-speed connection employing known communication protocols, such as TCP/IP, and is capable of decrypting and encrypting data received and transmitted between nodes.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 4, communication between the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409 and the Grocery Storey Store Web Site servers is usual for networks such as the Internet and is conducted as those skilled in the art will, under appropriate circumstances, deem efficient.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 4, communication between the user workstation 406 408 and the personal digital assistant 407 is usual for peripheral connections and is conducted as those skilled in the art will, under appropriate circumstances, deem efficient.
According to one embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 4, communication between the Grocery Shopping Web Site server 409 and the providers of the advertising (Advertising Server 405), diets (Diet Plans 403), nutrition information and recipes (Manufacturers 401), grocery stores item inventory and promotions and manufacturer's coupons (Coupon Clearinghouses 404) databases for downloading and updating is usual for networks such as the Internet and is conducted as those skilled in the art will, under appropriate circumstances, deem efficient. Business Method
The business method of one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated with reference to FIG 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the method preferably includes the company
(e.g., Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator), its web site and a variety of business and data relationships, which provide data to and receive data from the web site for the purpose of providing an on-line interactive grocery shopping service to users as described above. Each of the business and data sharing relationships are further described below.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably provide users 501 access to the Grocery Shopping Web Site 409 (as an example for use in this application), upon providing certain demographic information as part of a registration process, for the purpose of completing shopping lists, redeeming coupons, planning menus and meals, assisting users 501 with dietary maintenance, viewing recipes, selecting specific products or services from a selected Grocery Store and arranging payment and receipt of the selected items. Registered users 501 will preferably have access to all the Grocery Shopping Web Site 409 services at no charge.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably complete a business relationship with one or more Coupon Clearinghouses 404 which will have the effect of the Coupon Clearinghouses 404 providing current manufacturer's coupon data to the Grocery Shopping Web Site 409 for reference and use by users 501 as part of their shopping process on the Shopping website. As a further aspect of the business relationship with the Coupon Clearinghouse 404, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will optionally provide market analysis data including information regarding demographic profiles of users 501, their responses to particular promotions, coupon campaigns and related data about their buying patterns. As a further aspect of the business relationship with the Coupon Clearinghouses 404, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will receive payment for the market analysis information provided to the Coupon Clearinghouses 404.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Grocery Shopping Web Site
Operator 502 will preferably complete a business relationship with one or more Grocery
Stores 402, which may be individual stores or supermarket chains as the opportunities are presented, which will have the effect of the Grocery Stores 402 providing detailed information regarding product inventory, pricing and promotion and item location data to the Grocery Shopping Web Site 409 for reference and use by users 501 as part of their shopping process on the Shopping website. As a further aspect, the Grocery Store 402 will preferably permit the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 to interface with the systems of the Grocery Stores 402 for the transfer of information regarding items purchased, savings card sign up and coupons being redeemed so that the user 501 may complete their shopping process with the Grocery Store 402 as efficiently as possible. As another aspect of the business relationship with the Grocery Stores 402, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will optionally provide market analysis data including information regarding demographic profiles of users 501, their responses to particular promotions, coupon campaigns and related data about their buying patterns. As a further aspect of the business relationship with the Grocery Stores 402, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably receive payment for the market analysis information provided to the Grocery Stores 402 and for each savings card user 501that is registered on the Grocery Shopping Web Site 409. Payments for Store positioning of products in the shopping list
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably complete a business relationship with one or more Diet Plan Providers 403 (such as Weight Watchers, Atkins, or Jenny Craig) which will have the effect of the Diet Plan Providers 403 providing their current diet plan and recipe data to the Grocery Shopping Web Site 409 for reference and use by users 501 as part of their shopping process on the Shopping website, thus creating a cross-marketing between The Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 and Diet Plan Providers 403. The Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will also assist users 501 of Diet Plan Provider 403 in making their diets "a way of life", the goal of the diet plan company. As a further aspect of the business relationship with the Diet Plan Providers 403, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will optionally provide market analysis data including information regarding demographic profiles of users 501, their responses to particular plan and recipe usage, product (if any) purchases and related data about their buying patterns. As a further aspect of the business relationsliip with the Diet Plan Providers 403, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably receive payment for providing this market analysis information to the Diet Plan Providers 403.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Grocery Shopping Web Site
Operator 502 will preferably complete a business relationship with one or more
Manufacturers 401 (of grocery products and related items sold by Grocery Stores 402) which will preferably have the effect of the Manufacturer's providing current manufacturer's product promotions, nutrition labeling and recipe data to the Grocery
Shopping Web Site 409 for reference and use by users 501 as part of their shopping process on the Shopping website. As a further aspect of the business relationship with the Manufacturer, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will optionally provide market analysis data including information regarding demographic profiles of users 501, their responses to particular promotions, coupon campaigns and related data about their product buying patterns. As a further aspect of the business relationship with the Manufacturers 401, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably receive payment for providing the market analysis information to the Manufacturers 401.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably complete a business relationship with one or more Advertising Servers 405 (such as Open AdStream, DoubleClick and others) which will preferably have the effect of the Advertising Servers 405 providing current Manufacturer's product and other promotional advertising to the Grocery Shopping Web Site 409 for reference and use by users 501 as part of their shopping process on the Shopping website. As a further aspect of the business relationship with the Advertising Servers 405, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will optionally provide market analysis data including information regarding demographic profiles users 501, their responses to particular promotions, coupon campaigns and related data about their buying patterns. As a further aspect of the business relationship with the Advertising Servers 405, the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator 502 will preferably receive payment for providing the market analysis information provided to the Advertising Servers 405. System Processes Overview
The system processes of a preferred embodiment of the present invention are illustrated with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 illustrates the primary process for users to utilize the Grocery Shopping Web Site 601 to shop for groceries utilizing all the relevant information available from their workstation connected to the Internet or any workstation anywhere that is com ected to the Internet.
As shown in FIG. 6, the system may manage any or all of (1) user registration and login referencing and/or updating Registered User Profiles 602 , (2) user's selection of a preferred grocery store, (3) Step 1 user creation of a shopping list, (4) Step 2, along with item 13 of the list of this paragraph, the user's consideration of special dietary needs as they relate to products to be purchased from the shopping list, (5) Step 3 user's selection of specific products to satisfy to shopping list requirements, (6) Step 4 presentation to the user of the products selected and total cost, (7) Step 5 the user's decision as to whether the selected products will be sent to the selected Grocery Store Web Site 609, or a purchases list 611 printed or downloaded to a Personal Digital Assistant 612 for use by the user in the store, (8) the download of completed shopping list to the selected Grocery Store Web Site 609 for delivery to the user or bagging and pickup by the user, (9) the download of the list of products to a PDA 612, (10) printing of the purchases list 611 on the user's printer, (11) downloading, storing and managing manufacturers' and others' meal plans and menu plans 615 and user's creation and storage of meal plans and menu plans and the insertion of items required into the user's current shopping list, (12) user's creation and storage of personal recipes and the insertion of items required into the user's current shopping list, (13) user's selection of a diet plan which may preferably be used to suggest particular grocery items that satisfy the diet plan requirements, for example low-sodium and/or low- fat particular grocery items, during shopping, (14) creation of pantry lists from purchases lists or through user input to server as shopping reminders, (15) requesting, receiving and management of advertising 603 presented to the user which is relevant to items appearing on the user's current shopping list, (16) downloading, storing, managing and presenting manufacturer's nutrition label information 604 to any user on request of the user, (17) downloading, storing and managing each participating store's information, particular item inventory information and in-store promotion 605, (18) downloading, storing and managing coupons 606 from manufacturer's coupon and special promotion information for presentation and use by the user, (19) downloading user's savings from coupons to the selected grocery store's savings card database 608 for update by the grocery store of the user's savings card which then can be applied as a reduction in the user's total cost at the time of payment, (20) printing of the coupons 610 on the user's printer, and/or (21) collection and storage of all relevant purchasing history of the user, products, advertising and coupons 607 for use in reporting and analysis of user's buying habits and patterns. Detail of System Processes
Each of the numbered items identified above is further discussed here, arranged in "scenarios" which demonstrate the preferably significant aspects of the system and method. Registration (Items (1), (2), (13))
A user preferably begins a session by accessing the web site home page which is illustrated in FIG. 35. Preferably a user my access most functions of the without being logged in, but preferably can not complete the shopping process by transferring their purchases list to a selected grocery store of save any of their work. Therefore, users are preferably encouraged to register and log in each time. As shown in FIG. 36 preferably the user is given the option of logging in using an assigned ID and password, if previously registered, or registering for the first time. The preferred steps of the use case "Web site log in" are illustrated in FIG. 7. To register, as shown in FIG. 37 a new user is required to complete specific demographic information identify their preferred grocery store, pick an ID and password and agree to the user agreement. The preferred registration steps of the "User account sign up" use case are provided in FIG. 9. Preferably, after successful completion of registration users are provided the opportunity to select specific grocery stores location near the address they entered as illustrated in FIG. 38. Preferably, selection of particular stores associates them with a user's profile and the selected stores are used as defaults for the user's further shopping. The association of selected grocery stores with a user's profile is illustrated in FIG. 39. The preferred steps of the "Zip code and store selection" use case are provided in FIG. 10. A user may preferably request additional information, including a location map, about a particular store by selected the store's name as illustrated in FIG. 40.
If users wish to find other stores, for instance not near their entered addresses, preferably they will use the Advanced Store Search as illustrated in FIG. 41. This function preferably allows the location and selection of stores which might be used when traveling or for shopping for a family member in another city. The results of the Advanced Store Search are shown in FIG. 42. Users may select a store from the list of stores found by the Advanced Store Search as an additional preferred grocery store as illustrated in FIG. 43.
Finally, users are given the opportunity to review the various diet plans offered on the web site as illustrated in FIG. 44. An example of the preferred types of information provided is shown in FIG. 45. Preferably, users may optionally choose to add the selected diet to their profile, for reference during shopping, after reviewing the diet information. The result of choosing to add a diet to a profile is demonstrated in FIG. 46. After considering the diet plans available on the grocery shopping web site, the registration process is preferably complete as illustrated by FIG. 47. After completing the registration process users may access all user functions of the grocery shopping web site. Savings Card Application / In-Store Savings / Manufacturer Coupon Use Case 21
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention registered users may sign up for grocery store savings card or input their existing grocery story savings card information. Preferably signing up for a grocery store savings card may allow coupons to automatically be applied to purchases made through the grocery shopping web site at the issuing grocery store. The sign up process steps are illustrated in use case "Sign Up For Store Savings Card", FIG. 21 and a preferred input screen is shown in FIG. 48. After successful completion of the grocery store savings card application users are preferably provided an opportunity to review the in-store promotions available as shown in FIG. 49. The user preferably starts the search by selecting the store for which the in-store promotions are of interest as demonstrated in FIG. 50. Preferably, once the user has selected a store the in-store specials are listed for user review as shown in FIG. 51. Additionally, as shown, on FIG. 51 users may preferably add any selected particular grocery item to their shopping cart. The opportunity to review in-store specials is preferably available throughout the shopping process by selecting the Savings tab and the In-Store Specials secondary navigation link. The preferred steps for reviewing in-store sales and promotions are provided in use case "Store sales and promotions information request", provided in FIG. 18.
Preferably, coupon information is available to users by selecting the Coupons secondary navigation link in the Savings Section of the grocery shopping web site. The coupon search process preferably requires user input of the manufacturer's brand name and Savings Category or keyword as illustrated in FIG. 52. The coupon search results are illustrated in FIG. 53. Particular grocery items returned from the coupon search may preferably be add to the user's shopping list. As noted, coupons for items purchased are preferably automatically saved for either printing, downloading to a user's PDA or transfer to the grocery store where the particular grocery item will be purchased. Preferably, a user may see the details of any coupon found by selecting the item; a sample coupon is shown in FIG. 54. Preferably, if the user desires the coupon may be printed. The preferred steps for reviewing available coupons are provided in use case "Request available manufacturer's coupon", provided in FIG. 19 and in use case "Download or print any manufacturer's coupons" provided in FIG. 20. Shopping (Items (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (14), (20))
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention users may access the shopping functions from the Shopping Home Page, illustrated in FIG. 55, which is reached by selecting the main Shopping Tab from any screen on the Grocery Shopping Web Site.
Preferably, users may select the secondary navigation link "Build Your Shopping List" to begin creation of a new shopping list (Step 1). The preferred primary screen for building a new shopping list is shown in FIG. 56- A. Each user will preferably use the three tier menu of grocery categories and sub-categories to select grocery item general descriptions which they desire to purchase. Preferably, each selection of an end point of the menu adds the grocery item general description to the user's shopping list. Preferably, after each selection of a grocery item general description its addition to the shopping list is confirmed as illustrated in FIG. 56-B. Alternatively, a user may choose to select a product image displayed as an advertisement and add the particular grocery item to the shopping list. Preferably, at any time during the selection of grocery item general descriptions a user may view the shopping list by selecting the "Today's Shopping List" link. A preferred example of a shopping list display is shown in FIG. 57. FIG. 11 provides the use case "Shopping list creation" which sets out preferred user steps for creating a shopping list.
Preferably a user may, at any time, search for all related particular grocery items related to the grocery item general description included in the shopping list (Step 2 and Step 3). An example of the preferred particular grocery item search results for a grocery item general description is shown in FIG. 58. Preferably this search results screen allow a user to select the particular grocery item and quantity desired at the desired grocery store. This screen preferably allows a user to review all particular grocery items available at each selected grocery store, compare the current prices and select the most desirable particular grocery item at the most convenient grocery store. Preferably, particular grocery items matching dietary requirements of a selected diet plan will be presented ahead of particular grocery items not matching the dietary requirements of a selected diet plan. Preferably, selecting particular grocery items automatically adds them to the shopping cart list for the selected grocery store and accumulates any coupons and sums the total amount of planned purchases.
FIG. 59 illustrates the result of completing the process of selecting particular grocery items for selected grocery stores. This screen, preferably presents the particular grocery items intended for purchase at which grocery store the total expected cost, any expected savings and any remaining grocery item general descriptions not yet resolved.
When a user chooses the checkout button at the completion of choosing particular grocery items preferably, a summary of the particular grocery items in the shopping cart for each of the selected grocery stores is displayed (Step 4), as shown in FIG. 60. A user may preferably choose to either print the shopping cart for each selected grocery store, including any related coupons or, a user my choose to purchase the particular grocery items from a selected grocery store by transferring the shopping cart to the web site and completing the purchase using the selected grocery store's e-commerce capabilities (Step 5). . A preferred example of a printed shopping cart list and coupons is shown in FIG. 62. Preferably, transferring the shopping cart will also transfer any related coupons. Once a user chooses to transfer a shopping cart list to a selected grocery store's shopping web site they will utilize that grocery store's web site capabilities to determine how the particular grocery items will be obtained, by delivery or pickup, and how payment will be rendered. FIG. 16 provides the use case "Send a shopping list to the store to place an order" which describes the preferred steps for transferring a shopping cart list to a selected grocery store shopping web site.
Preferably, the user may also choose to download any or all of the shopping carts to a PDA. Additionally, preferably a user may choose combinations of actions such as printing the shopping cart for a selected store and choosing to transfer the related coupons to the user's grocery store savings card, thereby preferably eliminating the need to print the coupons; or downloading the shopping cart to a PDA and choosing to transfer the related coupons to the user's grocery store savings card. FIG 13 provides the use case "Print a shopping list" which describes the preferred user steps for printing a shopping cart list. FIG. 14 provides the use case "Send a shopping list to personal digital assistant (PDA)" which sets out the preferred user steps for downloading a shopping cart list to a PDA.
Optionally, a user may preferably choose to save a shopping cart list as a shopping list for future use. This is especially helpful for special event (Easter dinner) shopping, where many of the same particular grocery items are purchased each time. A user may also preferably choose to save a shopping list of grocery item general descriptions for future use. FIG. 15 provides a use case "Save current shopping list to user's account" which describes the preferred steps for saving a shopping list or shopping cart list for a registered user. Preferably, a user may also optionally save the shopping cart lists to a pantry list which can be used as a reminder in the future of the items in their physical pantry. Also, preferably a user can use a saved pantry list to suggest possible recipes for a meal.
Additionally, the user will preferably be presented with the opportunity to select and designate products they wish to have contributed to a specified local charity or food bank. Items designated for contribution will be included in the user's total bill and accumulated for later reporting of the total quarterly or annual contributions to the user.
Additionally, a user will preferably be presented with particular grocery item advertisements that are relevant to the particular grocery items entered into the user's shopping cart list. Additionally, the system may suggest particular grocery item based on the best price or other similar store promotion. Additionally, the system may suggest particular grocery items that have been identified as "going well with" a selected particular grocery item for consideration by the user for inclusion in his/her shopping cart list of selected items.
Finally, the user may optionally choose to compare the price of a particular product at the selected store with the price of the product at other stores in the geographic area.
During the selection process preferably the user may optionally view the standard nutrition label information and other information for any particular grocery item. Shark Shop
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention users may access the shopping functions from the Shopping Home Page, illustrated in FIG. 55, which is reached by selecting the main Shopping Tab from any screen on the Grocery Shopping Web Site. Preferably, users may access a saved shopping list by selecting the "Start Shopping Using a Saved List" text link. FIG. 63 illustrates a list of saved shopping lists that may preferably be returned. The use case "Saved shopping list access" provided in FIG. 12 further describes the steps that may preferably be followed by a user to access a saved shopping list. As shown, each saved list preferably has been meaningfully named by the user to ease selection of a saved list the meets the user's needs. Preferably, each saved list may preferably be reviewed by selecting the name of the list which is a link to a display of the items contained in the list; such a display is presented in FIG. 64. From this detail list a user may preferably choose to add additional grocery item general descriptions or particular grocery items to the list, in the manner described above, before comparison shopping at the user's preferred stores.
Additionally, a user may preferably choose the review the detail product and nutritional information for any particular grocery item on the list by selecting the particular grocery item name. Preferably, the particular grocery item name is a link to the detail product and nutritional information display, as illustrated in FIG. 65. Furthermore, use case "Shopping list item nutritional information request" shown in FIG. 17 further describes the user actions preferably required to view the detail product and nutritional information for a particular grocery item. The ability to access the detail product and nutritional information for a particular grocery item is preferably available from any screen where the name of a particular grocery item is displayed.
At this point, a user may preferably choose to "Shark Shop" if all the list items are resolved to particular grocery items. "Shark Shop" is preferably a process of the system which will automatically select the particular grocery item from the preferred grocery store where it is priced lowest. In other words, the "Shark Shop" process preferably automatically comparison shops for the items for the user.
The first step in the "Shark Shop" process after selecting a saved shopping list is preferably to select the preferred stores to be shopped by selecting the button "Shark Shop for Checked". The grocery store selection screen is illustrated by FIG. 66. While it is not required, users may preferably choose to add another grocery store to their profiles by selecting the "Add stores to Profile" button which presents the Advanced Store Selection screen as shown in FIG. 67. This process preferably permits a user to search for stores within a user determined radius of an address or zip code, or to search within a particular city. Selecting the "Find Stores" button will preferably cause the system to search for stores within the entered criteria. The results of the search are preferably presented on a screen as illustrated in FIG. 68. Preferably, a user may now select a grocery store to be added their profile and clicking on the "Add Checked Stores" button. The result of this action is shown in FIG. 69. Clicking on the "Continue" will preferably return the user may to the screen for selecting which preferred store will be used for the "Shark Shop" process. The preferred store selection screen is demonstrated in FIG. 70.
The second step is preferably begun when the "Shark Shop" button is selected after selecting the "Shark Shop" grocery stores as instructed. The "Shark Shop" process will result in all items on the shopping list being preferably automatically placed in a shopping cart for the preferred grocery store with the lowest price for the particular grocery item. An example of this is shown in FIG. 71.
The final step is preferably completed by selecting the "Checkout" button which allows the user to decide the method for purchasing the items. The purchase options for the user are preferably the same as presented earlier. My Pantry According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention users may select the "My Shark" tab from any screen to access all the personal information stored by the system for their account. The "My Shark" home page is illustrated in FIG. 72. A user may preferably choose to view the list of grocery item general descriptions and particular grocery items previously saved in "My Pantry" by selecting the text link "View Items in My Pantry". The resulting screen is illustrated by FIG. 73. "My Pantry" is preferably intended as an inventory of the items kept by users in their homes. A user's pantry list may preferably be used for a variety of purposes including adding items to a shopping list and suggesting recipes based on some or all of the pantry items.
Preferably by checking specific items on the pantry list and by clicking on the "Suggest Recipes Based on Checked" button users will be presented with a list of recipes that can be prepared using from the checked items as illustrated in FIG. 74. The search results preferably presents a list of recipes which then can be reviewed by a user by selecting the name of a recipe which is a text link to the recipe details. An example of the recipe details that are displayed are shown in FIG. 75. At this point a user preferably has several standard recipe options as shown on the screen, including adding the recipe items to a shopping list or "Shark Shopping" for the items and the option to add the recipe to the user's personal recipe list.
Preferably, by selecting the button "Add to My Recipes" the system will save a copy of the recipe in the user's account. The outcome of this action is illustrated in FIG. 76.
Alternate preferred user steps for managing user's pantry items if provided in use case "Alert when food is running low" provided in FIG. 29 and use case "Disable/modify alert when food is running low" provided in FIG. 30. Recipes (Item 12)
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention users my select the "Recipes" tab from any screen to access all the recipes available on the Grocery Shopping Web Site. Users may preferably view a directory of recipes, view only featured recipes from particular grocery item manufacturers and others, find a particular recipe or create a recipe.
A user may preferably select the "Create a Recipe" text link to begin the process of creation and storage of a user's personal recipe. The initial screen for creation of a recipe preferably permits a user to name the recipe, describe the preparation instruction, and identify the recipe's ingredients. A user may preferably identify the ingredients as either grocery item general descriptions or as particular grocery items their unit of measure and required quantity.
Preferably a user will select the "Add Product Category" button which will preferably assist a user in the insertion of grocery item general descriptions, or categories of items, in the ingredient list. A user will select the appropriate grocery item general descriptions from the same three tier menu used to create shopping lists. Selection of an end item on the three tier menu will preferably automatically add the grocery item general description to the recipe and return the user to the Recipe Creation screen. An example of the screen used for selecting grocery item general descriptions is shown in FIG. 79. A user may also preferably add a particular grocery item to a recipe by selecting the "Add Product" button. Selecting the "Add Product" button preferably allows the user to search for the desired particular grocery item with the same process used when adding particular grocery items to a shopping cart. An example of the search result is illustrated in FIG. 80. Clicking on the "Add Product to Recipe" will preferably add the checked particular grocery item to the ingredient list of the recipe being created.
The next step in recipe creation preferably requires the user to classify the recipe to facilitate easy retrieval. The classification process is preferably accomplished using a tliree tier recipe classification menu as illustrated in FIG. 81. As with other three tier menus used in the system a user clicks on the end point of which best classifies the recipe. Clicking on the end point of the menu will preferably automatically return the user to an updated recipe detail screen as illustrated in FIG. 82.
Alternative preferred user steps are described in use cases "Browse recipes" provided in FIG. 23, "Recipe creation" provided in FIG. 24 and "Edit/delete a recipe" provided in FIG. 25. Menu and Meal Plans (Item 11)
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention users may select the "My Shark" tab from any screen to access all the personal information stored by the system for their account. The "My Shark" home page is illustrated in FIG. 72. A user may preferably choose the "My Meals" text link to view all the meals they have saved as illustrated by FIG. 83. From this screen a user preferably may choose any of several options, including viewing the contents of any meal by clicking on the meal name, adding all the contents of a meal to a shopping list by selecting the meal and clicking on the button "Add Checked to Today's Shopping List, deleting a meal or creating a new meal.
The process for creating a new meal involves several steps which are similar to other functions of the system such as creating a recipe or creating a shopping list. However, meals may preferably contain recipes as well as grocery item general descriptions, and particular grocery items. Selecting the "Create Meal" button is the first step in the process. The screen, as shown in FIG. 84, allows the user to name the meal, identify its meal type and begin selecting its contents. Selecting the "Add Product Category" button preferably provide the user the opportunity to use the previously described three tier menu structure to select grocery item general descriptions to be included in the meal. Likewise, selecting the "Add Product" button preferably provides the user the opportunity to use the previously described particular grocery item selection process to identify particular grocery items to be included in the meal. A preferred meal contents screen displaying the results of adding a grocery item general description is presented in FIG. 85. The preferred screen displaying the search results for a particular grocery item is presented in FIG. 86. The preferred meal contents screen displaying the results for adding a particular grocery item is presented in FIG. 87. Finally, selecting the "Add Recipe" button provides the user the opportunity add a saved or manufacturer's recipe to the meal.
Preferably, to add a recipe to a meal a user will use the three tier recipe classification menu to browse the recipes available in a user's preferred recipe classification; such as shown in FIG. 88. After select a desired end point in the three tier recipe classification menu the user is preferably presented with a list recipes as shown in FIG. 89. At this point, the user may preferably check the desired recipe and click on the "Add Checked to Meal" button to add the recipe to the meal. The resulting meal is now presented in an updated meal display as shown in FIG. 90. Once the user is satisfied with the content of the meal it may preferably be saved in the user's list of meals by clicking on the "Save Meal" button. After saving the new meal the user's meal list is updated and the result is displayed, as shown in FIG. 91.
Alternative preferred user steps for meals are described in use cases "Define a meal for a menu plan" provided in FIG. 26, "Create a meal plan" provided in FIG. 27 and "Edit/delete a meal" provided in FIG. 28. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention menu plans may be prepared by users from any combination of meals. Additionally, it is preferable for menus plans to span a specified time period which may be a day, multiple days up to a maximum of seven. Creation of a menu plan preferably requires several steps. Preferably, the first step is to view the current list of saved menu templates as shown in FIG. 92. Preferably, this screen may be accessed from a variety of other screens including the "My Shark" home page shown in FIG. 72 and from the "My Meal List" screen shown in FIG. 91. From the Saved Menu Templates" screen preferably a user may view the contents of any saved menu plan, create a menu plan, delete a menu plan, a selected menu plan to the menu calendar or add the contents of a menu plan to a shopping list. To create a menu plan a user will click on the "Create New Template" button which will result in the presentation of "Create Menu Template" screen as shown in FIG. 93. This screen preferably allows the user the name the menu template for future reference, add meals for any time of day and for any day of the menu plan, as well as save the template or view a summary of the template. Selecting the "Add Meal" button for any time of day will preferably result in a list of meals organized by type of meal as illustrated in FIG. 94. Preferably, a user may check specific meals from the list and click on the "Add Checked Meals to Menu Template" button to add one of more to the menu plan. The result of these actions preferably will return the user to the "Create Menu Template" screen which is updated for the additional meals. An example of the preferred screen is shown in FIG. 95. Users may preferably repeat this described process until all the desired meals have been added to the menu template. When all desired meals have been added to a menu template a summary of the meals for a day of the menu plan preferably may be reviewed as shown in FIG. 96. A user may also request to see a summary list of all meals included in a menu plan by selecting the "View Template Summary" button. The preferred resulting list of meals is organized by meal type within menu plan day, as illustrated in FIG. 97. At completion of the process of adding a menu template preferably an updated "Saved Menu Templates" screen is displayed for the user as shown in FIG. 98.
Preferably, a user may add any menu template to the menu calendar from the
"Saved Menu Templates" screen. Preferably, by checking a menu template, specifying a starting date and clicking the "Add Checked to Menu Calendar" a menu template can be placed on the Menu Calendar. As illustrated in FIG. 99 the Menu Calendar preferably displays all schedule menu plans in a calendar format. Preferably, a user may delete a day's menu from the calendar or view the meals planned for any day. Additionally, a user may preferably add all the grocery item general descriptions and particular grocery items required to prepare the meals planned for any day to a shopping list. Best Price Lookup
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention users may preferably search for the best price for any particular grocery item at a number of selected stores. Preferably, this capability may be accessed from the "Shop" home page by clicking on the "Find the Best Price" secondary text link. Preferably a user must specify the specific particular grocery item to find its best price by first selecting the manufacturer's brand name as shown in FIG. 100. Next, preferably a user must specify the specific product and preferably choose to search preferred grocery stores or other selected stores as shown in FIG. 101. Preferably, the results of the search will be displayed as a comparative list sorted in ascending order by price as shown in FIG. 102. Alternative preferred user steps are described in use case "Product search within a particular ZIP code" provided in FIG. 8. Nutritional Information Lookup
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention users a user may preferably choose the review the detail product and nutritional information for any particular grocery item. Preferably, this capability may be accessed from the "Shop" home page by clicking on the "Nutritional information" secondary text link. Preferably a user must specify the specific particular grocery item to find its best price by first selecting the manufacturer's brand name as shown in FIG. 103. Next, preferably a user must specify the specific product and preferably choose to search preferred grocery stores or other selected stores as shown in FIG. 104. Preferably, the results of the search will be displayed as a comparative list sorted in ascending order by price as shown in FIG. 105. Furthermore, use case "Look up the nutritional content of a food item" as provided in FIG. 22 further describes alternate preferred user actions required to view the detail product and nutritional information for a particular grocery item. Alternatively, preferably access to the detail product and nutritional information on a particular grocery item is preferably available from any screen where the name of a particular grocery item is displayed. PDA
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention users may preferably accomplish a number of functions using a PDA. These may preferably include creating shopping lists, editing shopping lists and transferring shopping lists through the user's computer which is connected to the Internet to the Grocery Shopping Web Site. The user steps preferred to accomplish these functions are described in use cases "PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) software installation" provided in FIG. 31, "PDA shopping list creation" provided in FIG. 32, "PDA shopping list edit/delete" provided in FIG. 33 and "PDA shopping list upload to user account" provided in FIG. 34. External Information Processes (Items 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 21)
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention an Internet-based interface will preferably be provided to permit requesting, receiving and management of advertising presented to the user which is relevant to items appearing on the user's current shopping list. As is common practice, the agreements preferably will provide for the placement of advertising in return for payment to the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator based on a display volume measure. The processes employed under each alternative will employ standard industry practices and conventions for data requests, transfers and storage.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator will preferably complete agreements with manufacturers for downloading, storing, managing and presenting manufacturer's nutrition label information. Under appropriate circumstances the information may also preferably be provided via Internet-based requests rather than downloading, storing, managing the data. Additionally, these agreements may preferably include downloading, storing and managing meal plans and menu plans. The processes employed under each alternative will employ standard industry practices and conventions for data requests, transfers and storage. Agreements with manufacturers may also preferably include payments to the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator for preferential placement of products in search result lists and payment for providing relevant purchasing history of users, products, advertising and coupon usage for use in reporting and analysis of user's buying habits and patterns.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator will preferably complete agreements with grocery stores for downloading, storing and managing each participating store's information, particular grocery item inventory information and in-store promotions. Under appropriate circumstances the information may also preferably be provided via Internet-based requests rather than downloading, storing, managing the data. The processes employed under each alternative will employ standard industry practices and conventions for data requests, transfers and storage. Agreements with grocery stores may also preferably include payments to the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator for preferential placement of grocery store logo and products in search result lists and payment for providing relevant purchasing history of users, products, advertising and coupon usage for use in reporting and analysis of user's buying habits and patterns.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator will preferably complete agreements with coupon clearinghouses for downloading, storing and managing manufacturer's coupon and special promotion information. Under appropriate circumstances the information may also preferably be provided via Internet-based requests rather than downloading, storing, managing the data. The processes employed under each alternative will employ standard industry practices and conventions for data requests, transfers and storage. Agreements with coupon clearinghouses may also preferably include payments to the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator for providing relevant purchasing history of users, products, advertising and coupon usage for use in reporting and analysis of user's buying habits and patterns.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator will preferably complete agreements with grocery stores for downloading user's savings from coupons to the selected grocery store's savings card database which then can be applied as a reduction in the user's total cost at the time of payment. Under appropriate circumstances the information may also preferably be provided via Internet-based process rather than downloading, the data. The processes employed under each alternative will employ standard industry practices and conventions for data requests, transfers and storage.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator will preferably complete agreements with diet plan providers for downloading, storing and managing diet plan information. Under appropriate circumstances the information may also preferably be provided via Internet-based requests rather than downloading, storing, managing the data. The processes employed under each alternative will employ standard industry practices and conventions for data requests, transfers and storage. Agreements with diet plan providers may also preferably include payments to the Grocery Shopping Web Site Operator for providing relevant purchasing history of users, products, advertising, diet plan usage and coupon usage for use in reporting and analysis of user's buying habits and patterns.
The present invention is described in terms of the above examples and embodiments. Wliile certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those sldlled in the art from the above descriptions and the below claims. Accordingly, departures may be made from details described herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concepts.

Claims

What is claimed:
1. Internet web site shopping method and system comprising: a. database means for storing at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; b. database means for storing information describing at least two unrelated grocery stores; c. computer processor means for relating at least one particular grocery item to at least one grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; d. database means for storing, for each of such at least two unrelated grocery stores, comparison information relating to such at least one particular grocery item; e. interface means for user selecting of such at least two unrelated grocery stores; f. interface means for user selecting of such at least one grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; g. computer processor means for presenting such comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item available in such selected at least two grocery stores related to such selected at least one grocery item general description; and h. interface means for user selecting of such at least one particular grocery item to be purchased at such at least one selected grocery store.
2. The system according to Claim 1 further comprising: a. computer processor means for adding such selected at least one grocery item general description to at least one shopping list; b. database means for storing such at least one shopping list; c. interface means for user selecting of such at least one shopping list; d. interface means for user selecting such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one shopping list; and e. computer processor means for removing such at least on grocery item general description from such at least one shopping list.
3. The system according to Claim 2 further comprising: a. computer processor means for receiving at least one recipe from at least one grocery item manufacturer; b. database means for storing such at least one recipe; c. computer processor means for displaying such at least one recipe; d. interface means for user inputting of such at least one recipe; e. computer processor means for adding such at least one grocery item general description to such at least one recipe; f. computer processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item to such at least one recipe; g. interface means for user selecting of such at least one recipe; h. computer processor means for adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one recipe to such at least one shopping list; and i. computer processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one recipe to such at least one shopping list.
4. The system according to Claim 2 further comprising: a. interface means for user inputting of meal plans; b. database means for storing meal plans; c. computer processor means for adding such at least one recipe to such at least one meal plan; d. computer processor means for adding such at least one grocery item general description to such at least one meal plan; e. computer processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item to such at least one meal plan; f. interface means for user selecting of such at least one meal plan; g. computer processor means for adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one meal plan to such at least one shopping list; and h. computer processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one meal plan to such at least one shopping list.
5. The system according to Claim 2 further comprising: a. interface means for user inputting of menu plans; b. database means for storing menu plans; c. computer processor means for adding such at least one meal plan to such at least one menu plan; d. interface means for user selecting of such at least one menu plan; e. computer processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list; and f. computer processor means for adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list.
6. The system according to Claim 1 further comprising: a. computer processor means for receiving such information describing such at least two unrelated grocery stores.
7. The system according to Claim 1 further comprising: a. computer processor means for receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, such at least one particular grocery item comparison information; and b. computer processor means for receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, shelf location information related to such at least one particular grocery item.
8. The system according to Claim 1 further comprising: a. computer processor means for adding such selected at least one particular grocery item to at least one purchases list; b. computer processor means for transferring such at least one purchases list to such selected at least one grocery store; and c. interface means for permitting user access to at least one shopping web site for such selected at least one grocery store.
9. The system according to Claim 2 further comprising: a. computer processor means for adding such selected at least one particular grocery item to at least one purchases list; b. computer processor means for transferring such at least one purchases list to such selected at least one grocery store; c. interface means for permitting user access to at least one shopping web site for such selected at least one grocery store; d. interface means for user selecting of such at least one shopping list; e. interface means for user selecting of at least one such particular grocery item from such selected shopping list; f. interface means for user selecting of such at least one grocery store; g. computer processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item to purchases list for such selected grocery store; and h. database means for storing such at least one purchases list for such selected grocery store.
10. The system according to Claim 1, wherein said interface means for user selecting of such at least two grocery stores comprises: a. interface means for user selecting of at least one preferred shopping area; and b. interface means for user selecting of such at least two unrelated grocery stores within such at least one preferred shopping area.
11. The system according to Claim 2 further comprising: a. computer processor means for receiving such information describing such at least two unrelated grocery stores.
12. The system according to Claim 2 further comprising: a. computer processor means for receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, such at least one particular grocery item comparison information; and b. computer processor means for receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, shelf location information related to such at least one particular grocery item.
13. The system according to Claim 2 further comprising: a. computer processor means for adding such selected at least one particular grocery item to at least one purchases list; b. computer processor means for transferring such at least one purchases list to such selected at least one grocery store; and c. interface means for permitting user access to at least one shopping web site for such selected at least one grocery store.
14. The system according to Claim 13 further comprising: a. computer processor means for transferring such at least one purchases list to at least one PDA.
15. The system according to Claim 13 further comprising: a. printer means for printing such at least one purchases list.
16. The system according to Claim 13 further comprising: a. computer processor means for saving such at least one purchases list as such at least one shopping list.
17. The system according to Claim 13 further comprising: a. computer processor means for saving such at least one purchases list as at least one pantry list; b. database means for storing such at least one pantry list; c. interface means for user selecting of such at least one particular grocery item to be added to such at least one pantry list; d. interface means for user selecting of such at least one particular grocery item to be removed from such at least one pantry list; e. interface means for user selecting of such at least one particular pantry list; and f. computer processor means for adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one pantry list to such at least one shopping list.
18. The system according to Claim 13 further comprising: a. interface means for user designating of such at least one particular grocery item included in such at least one purchases list as a charitable donation; and b. computer processor means for transferring such charitable donation information to such at least one such selected at least one grocery store.
19. The system according to Claim 1 further comprising: a. interface means for registering such at least one user; b. database means for storing demographic information of such at least one user; and c. computer processor means for recording such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user.
20. The system according to Claim 1 further comprising: a. computer processor means for receiving at least one grocery item manufacturers' coupon related to such at least one particular grocery item; b. computer processor means for storing such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupon information related to such at least one particular grocery item; c. interface means for displaying such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupons related to such at least one particular grocery item; d. computer processor means for transferring such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupons related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user to such selected at least one grocery store; e. computer processor transferring such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupon related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user to at least one PDA; and f. printer means printing such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupon related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user.
21. The system according to Claim 1 further comprising: a. computer processor means for receiving at least one diet plan; b. database means for storing such at least one diet plan; c. computer processor means for receiving at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; d. database means for storing such at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; e. interface means for user selecting of such at least one diet plan; f. computer processor means for relating such at least one dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet plan to such at least one particular grocery item; and g. computer processor means for presenting such at least one particular grocery item related to both such at least one dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet plan and to such selected at least one grocery item general description ahead of such at least one particular grocery item related only to such selected at least one grocery item general description.
22. The system according to Claim 1 further comprising: a. computer processor means for receiving advertising information; b. computer processor means for relating such advertising information to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase; c. computer processor means for presenting to such at least one user such advertising information related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase.
23. Internet web site shopping method and system comprising the steps of: a. making arrangements with management of at least two unrelated grocery stores in at least one geographic area to provide descriptive grocery store information for such at least two grocery stores; b. making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to provide comparison information for at least one particular grocery item for at least two grocery stores; c. storing at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; d. retrieving from such at least two unrelated grocery stores such grocery store description information; e. retrieving from such at least two grocery stores such comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item; f. storing linkage between at least one such grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of such plurality of such grocery item general descriptions and such comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item; g. permitting user selection of such at least two unrelated grocery stores; h. permitting user selection of such at least one grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; i. displaying such comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item available in such selected at least two grocery stores related to such selected at least one grocery item general description; j . permitting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item to be purchased at such at least one selected grocery store; and k. storing such selected at least one particular grocery item to be purchased at such at least one selected grocery store as a purchases list.
24. The system according to Claim 23, wherein the step of permitting user selection of such at least two unrelated grocery stores further comprises the steps of: a. permitting user selection of at least one preferred shopping area; and b. permitting user selection of such at least two unrelated grocery stores within such at least one preferred shopping area.
25. The system according to Claim 23, wherein the step of permitting user selection of such at least one grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions further comprises the steps of: a. adding such selected at least one grocery item general description to at least one shopping list; and b. storing such at least one shopping list.
26. The system according to Claim 25 further comprising the steps of: a. permitting user selection of such at least one shopping list; and b. permitting user selection of such at least one grocery item general description from selected such at least one shopping list.
27. The system according to Claim 23 further comprising the steps of: a. recruiting such at least one user; b. registering such at least one user; c. storing demographic information of such at least one user; and d. recording such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user as user purchases history.
28. The system according to Claim 27 further comprising the step of: a. making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery store to receive such user purchases history.
29. The system according to Claim 28 further comprising the steps of: a. making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to provide compensation for receiving such user purchases history; and b. making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to provide compensation for display of such at least one particular grocery item available at such at least two unrelated grocery stores.
30. The system according to Claim 27 further comprising the steps of: a. making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to accept such at least one purchases list containing such selected at least one particular grocery item; b. making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to accept at least one user discount card enrollment information; and c. making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to allow such at least one user access to grocery shopping web sites of such at least two unrelated grocery stores.
31. The system according to Claim 27 further comprising the steps of: a. making arrangements with management of at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide nutrition labeling information for such at least one particular grocery item; and b. making arrangements with management of at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide at least one recipe prepared by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer.
32. The system according to Claim 31 further comprising the steps of: a. retrieving such nutrition labeling information for such at least one particular grocery item; b. displaying such nutrition labeling information for such selected at least one particular grocery item; c. making arrangements with management of such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to receive user purchases history; d. making arrangements with management of such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide compensation for receiving such user purchases history; and e. making arrangements with management of such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide compensation for presenting such recipe prepared by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer.
33. The system according to Claim 27 further comprising the steps of: a. making arrangements with management of at least one coupon clearinghouse to provide coupon information related to such at least one particular grocery item; b. retrieving such coupon information from such at least one coupon clearinghouse related to such selected such at least one particular grocery item; c. displaying such coupon information from such at least one coupon clearinghouse related to such selected such at least one particular grocery item; d. making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to accept such coupon information related to such selected such at least one particular grocery item; e. making arrangements with such management of such at least one coupon clearinghouse to receive such user purchases history; and f making arrangements with management of such at least one particular grocery coupon clearing house to provide compensation for providing such user purchases history.
34. The system according to Claim 33 further comprising the step of: a. transferring such at least one such coupon information to at least one PDA.
35. The system according to Claim 33 further comprising the step of: a. printing such at least one such coupon information.
36. The system according to Claim 33 further comprising the step of: a. making arrangements with management of such at least two unrelated grocery stores to associate such coupon information related to such selected at least one particular grocery item with such at least one user discount card.
37. The system according to Claim 27 further comprising the steps of: a. making arrangements with management of at least one Diet Plan Provider to use at least one diet plan; b. making arrangements with management of at least one Diet Plan Provider to provide general plan information related to such at least one diet plan; c. making arrangements with management of at least one Diet Plan Provider to provide at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; d. receiving such general plan information related to such at least one diet plan; e. receiving such at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; f . storing such general plan information related to such at least one diet plan; g. storing such at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; h. permitting user selection of such at least one diet plan; i. relating such at least one dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet plan to such at least one particular grocery item; j . presenting such at least one particular grocery item related to both such at least one dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet plan and to such at least one grocery item general description ahead of such at least one particular grocery item related only to such at least one grocery item general description; k. making arrangements with such management of such at least one Diet Plan
Provider to receive user usage pattern information for such at least one diet plan; 1. making arrangements with such management of such at least one Diet Plan
Provider to receive such user purchases history; m. making arrangements with management of such at least one particular Diet Plan
Provider to provide compensation for providing such user usage pattern information for such at least one diet plan; and n. making arrangements with management of such at least one particular Diet Plan
Provider to provide compensation for providing such user purchases history.
38. The system according to Claim 23 further comprising the steps of: a. making arrangements with management of at least one advertising server to receive advertising information related to grocery shopping; b. making arrangements with management of at least one advertising server to receive advertising information related to such at least one particular grocery item; c. presenting such advertising information related to grocery shopping; d. presenting such advertising information related to such at least one particular grocery item relating to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase; e. permitting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item related to such advertising information related to such at least one particular grocery item; and f adding such selected at least one particular grocery item to such at least one shopping list.
39. The system according to Claim 27 further comprising the steps of: a. saving such at least one purchases list as such at least one pantry list; b. storing such at least one pantry list; c. peπnitting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item to be added to such at least one pantry list; d. permitting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item to be removed from such at least one pantry list; e. permitting user selection of such at least one particular pantry list; and f. adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one pantry list to such at least one shopping list.
40. The system according to Claim 27 further comprising the steps of: a. permitting user selection of such at least one shopping list; b. permitting user selection of at least one such particular grocery item from such selected shopping list; c. permitting user selection of such at least one grocery store; d. adding such plurality of grocery items to purchases list for such selected grocery store; and e. storing such at least one purchases list for such selected grocery store.
41. The system according to Claim 27 further comprising the steps of: a. making arrangements with management of at least two unrelated grocery stores to accept charitable donation information related to such at least one particular grocery item; b. permitting user designation of such at least one particular grocery item included in such at least one purchases list as a charitable donation; and c. transferring such charitable donation information to such at least one grocery store.
42. The system according to Claim 27 further comprising the steps of: a. permitting user input of at least one user recipe; b. permitting user addition of such at least one grocery item general description to such at least one user recipe; c. permitting user addition of such at least one particular grocery item to such at least one user recipe; d. permitting user selection of such at least one user recipe; e. adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one user recipe to such at least one shopping list; and f. adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one user recipe to such at least one shopping list.
43. The system according to Claim 42 further comprising the steps of: a. making arrangements with management of at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide nutrition labeling information for such at least one particular grocery item; and b. making arrangements with management of at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to provide at least one recipe prepared by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer.
44. The system according to Claim 43 further comprising the steps of: a. displaying such at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer; b. permitting user selection of such at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer; c. permitting user modification of such selected at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer; d. permitting user saving modified such selected at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer as such at least one user recipe; e. adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to such at least one shopping list; and f. adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to such at least one shopping list.
45. The system according to Claim 42 further comprising the steps of: a. permitting user inputting of at least one meal plan; b. storing such at least one meal plan; c. permitting user selection of such at least one user recipe; d. adding of such selected at least one user recipe to such at least one meal plan; e. permitting user selection of such at least one recipe provided by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer; f. adding such selected at least one recipe prepared by such at least one particular grocery item manufacturer to such at least one meal plan; g. permitting user addition of such at least one grocery item general description to such at least one meal plan; h. permitting user addition of such at least one particular grocery item to such at least one meal plan; i. permitting user selection of such at least one meal plan; j . permitting user addition of such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one meal plan to such at least one shopping list; and k. permitting user addition of such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one meal plan to such at least one shopping list.
46. The system according to Claim 42 further comprising the steps of: a. permitting user input of at least one menu plan; b. storing such at least one menu plan; c. permitting user addition of such at least one meal plan to such at least one menu plan; d. permitting user selection of such at least one menu plan; e. adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list; and f. adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list.
47. The system according to Claim 23, wherein comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item comprises: a. grocery item manufacturer UPC coding for such at least one particular grocery item; and b. price information such at least one particular grocery item.
48. The system according to Claim 47, wherein comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item further comprises: a. grocery store shelf location information such at least one particular grocery item.
49. The system according to Claim 27 further comprising the step of: a. transferring such at least one purchases list to at least one PDA.
50. The system according to Claim 27 further comprising the step of: a. printing such at least one purchases list.
51. A computer software system having a set of instructions for an Internet web site shopping system, such instructions enabling the steps of: a. storing at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; b. storing information describing at least two unrelated grocery stores; c. relating at least one particular grocery item to at least one grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; d. storing, for each of such at least two unrelated grocery stores, comparison information relating to such at least one particular grocery item; e. assisting user selection of such at least two unrelated grocery stores; f. assisting selecting of such at least one grocery item general description from such at least one organized listing of a plurality of grocery item general descriptions; g. presenting such comparison information for such at least one particular grocery item available in such selected at least two grocery stores related to such selected at least one grocery item general description; and h. assisting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item to be purchased at such at least one selected grocery store.
52. The system according to Claim 51 further comprising: a. adding such selected at least one grocery item general description to at least one shopping list; b. storing such at least one shopping list; c. assisting user selection of such at least one shopping list; d. assisting user selection such at least one grocery item general description from selected such at least one shopping list; and e. removing such at least on grocery item general description from such at least one shopping list.
53. The system according to Claim 52 further comprising: a. receiving at least one recipe from at least one grocery item manufacturer; b. storing such at least one recipe; c. displaying such at least one recipe; d. assisting user input of such at least one recipe; e. adding such at least one grocery item general description to such at least one recipe; f adding such at least one particular grocery item to such at least one recipe; g. assisting user selection of such at least one recipe; h. adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one recipe to such at least one shopping list; and i. adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one recipe to such at least one shopping list.
54. The system according to Claim 52 further comprising: a. assisting user input of meal plans; b. storing meal plans; c. adding such at least one recipe to such at least one meal plan; d. adding such at least one grocery item general description to such at least one meal plan; e. adding such at least one particular grocery item to such at least one meal plan; f. assisting user selection of such at least one meal plan; g. adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one meal plan to such at least one shopping list; and h. adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one meal plan to such at least one shopping list.
55. The system according to Claim 52 further comprising: a. assisting user input of menu plans; b . storing menu plans ; c. adding such at least one meal plan to such at least one menu plan; d. assisting user selection of such at least one menu plan; e. adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list; and f. adding such at least one grocery item general description from such selected at least one menu plan to such at least one shopping list.
56. The system according to Claim 51 further comprising: a. receiving such information describing such at least two unrelated grocery stores.
57. The system according to Claim 51 further comprising: a. receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, such at least one particular grocery item comparison information; and b. receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, shelf location information related to such at least one particular grocery item.
58. The system according to Claim 51 further comprising: a. adding such selected at least one particular grocery item to at least one purchases list; b. transferring such at least one purchases list to such selected at least one grocery store; and c. assisting user access to at least one shopping web site for such selected at least one grocery store.
59. The system according to Claim 58 further comprising: a. assisting user selection of such at least one shopping list; b. assisting user selecting of a plurality of such particular grocery items from such selected shopping list; c. assisting user selection of such at least one grocery store; d. adding such plurality of grocery items to purchases list for such selected grocery store; and e. storing such at least one purchases list for such selected grocery store.
60. The system according to Claim 51, wherein said at least one computer interface system structured and arranged to assist user selection of such at least two grocery stores comprises: a. assisting user selection of at least one preferred shopping area; and b. assisting user selection of such at least two mrrelated grocery stores within such at least one preferred shopping area.
61. The system according to Claim 52 further comprising: a. receiving such information describing such at least two unrelated grocery stores.
62. The system according to Claim 52 further comprising: a. receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, such at least one particular grocery item comparison information; and b. receiving, for each of such at least two grocery stores, shelf location information related to such at least one particular grocery item.
63. The system according to Claim 52 further comprising: a. adding such selected at least one particular grocery item to at least one purchases list; b. transferring such at least one purchases list to such selected at least one grocery store; and c. assisting user access to at least one shopping web site for such selected at least one grocery store.
64. The system according to Claim 63 further comprising: a. transferring such at least one purchases list to at least one PDA.
65. The system according to Claim 63 further comprising: a. printing such at least one purchases list.
66. The system according to Claim 63 further comprising: a. saving such at least one purchases list as such at least one shopping list.
67. The system according to Claim 63 further comprising: a. saving such at least one purchases list as at least one pantry list; b. storing such at least one pantry list; c. assisting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item to be added to such at least one pantry list; d. assisting user selection of such at least one particular grocery item to be removed from such at least one pantry list; e. assisting user selection of such at least one particular pantry list; and f. adding such at least one particular grocery item from such selected at least one pantry list to such at least one shopping list.
68. The system according to Claim 63 further comprising: a. assisting user designation of such at least one particular grocery item included in such at least one purchases list as a charitable donation; and b. transferring such charitable donation information to such at least one such selected at least one grocery store.
69. The system according to Claim 51 further comprising: a. assisting registering such at least one user; b. storing demographic information of such at least one user; and c. recording such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user.
70. The system according to Claim 51 further comprising: a. receiving at least one grocery item manufacturers' coupon related to such at least one particular grocery item; b. storing such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupon information related to such at least one particular grocery item; c. assisting displaying such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupons related to such at least one particular grocery item; d. transferring such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupons related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user to such selected at least one grocery store; e. transferring such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupon related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user to at least one PDA; and f. printing such at least one grocery item manufacturer's coupon related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase by such at least one user.
71. The system according to Claim 51 further comprising: a. receiving at least one diet plan; b. storing such at least one diet plan; c. receiving at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; d. storing such at least one dietary requirement related to such at least one diet plan; e. assisting user selection of such at least one diet plan; f. relating such at least one dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet plan to such at least one particular grocery item; and g. presenting such at least one particular grocery item related to both such at least one dietary requirement of such selected at least one diet plan and to such selected at least one grocery item general description ahead of such at least one particular grocery item related only to such selected at least one grocery item general description.
72. The system according to Claim 51 further comprising: a. receiving advertising information; b. relating such advertising information to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase; and c. presenting to such at least one user such advertising information related to such at least one particular grocery item selected for purchase.
PCT/US2002/018442 2001-06-07 2002-06-07 Interactive internet shopping and data integration method and system WO2002099604A2 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP02739824A EP1419464A4 (en) 2001-06-07 2002-06-07 Interactive internet shopping and data integration method and system
AU2002312450A AU2002312450A1 (en) 2001-06-07 2002-06-07 Interactive internet shopping and data integration method and system
CA002452722A CA2452722A1 (en) 2001-06-07 2002-06-07 Interactive internet shopping and data integration method and system

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US29720701P 2001-06-07 2001-06-07
US60/297,207 2001-06-07
US10/164,334 US7376591B2 (en) 2001-06-07 2002-06-06 Interactive internet shopping and data integration method and system
US10/164,334 2002-06-06

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002099604A2 true WO2002099604A2 (en) 2002-12-12
WO2002099604A3 WO2002099604A3 (en) 2004-03-25

Family

ID=26860461

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2002/018442 WO2002099604A2 (en) 2001-06-07 2002-06-07 Interactive internet shopping and data integration method and system

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (2) US7376591B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1419464A4 (en)
AU (1) AU2002312450A1 (en)
CA (1) CA2452722A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2002099604A2 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2521082A3 (en) * 2011-05-03 2013-02-20 Coupons.com Incorporated Digital coupon clearinghouse
US20140057657A1 (en) * 2004-10-25 2014-02-27 A9.Com, Inc. Displaying location-specific images on a mobile device

Families Citing this family (240)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7539628B2 (en) 2000-03-21 2009-05-26 Bennett James D Online purchasing system supporting buyer affordability screening
US7103566B2 (en) * 2000-02-23 2006-09-05 Lucent Technologies Inc. Applications of executable shopping lists
US20030023483A1 (en) * 2001-07-25 2003-01-30 Messner Amy E. System and method for managing consumer purchasing data
US8688764B2 (en) * 2001-08-22 2014-04-01 Intellectual Ventures Fund 83 Llc System, method and software product for ordering image products using images stored on a digital storage device from a plurality of order terminals
WO2003034300A2 (en) * 2001-09-04 2003-04-24 Ramon Van Der Riet Marketing communication and transaction/distribution services platform for building and managing personalized customer relationships
US8078492B2 (en) * 2001-10-02 2011-12-13 International Business Machines Corporation Providing consumers with incentives for healthy eating habits
US20030065575A1 (en) * 2001-10-02 2003-04-03 Berkema Alan C. Wireless access grocery store printer appliance
TW550507B (en) * 2001-10-16 2003-09-01 Ulead Systems Inc System and method for establishing interactive video disk playing menu
US20030078791A1 (en) * 2001-10-19 2003-04-24 Tufte Brian N. Method and system for increasing the participation of contributors to a charity or other non-profit
US7025405B2 (en) * 2002-01-24 2006-04-11 Pilkington North America, Inc. Substantially flush mounted vehicular window frame assembly and method for producing
US8590013B2 (en) 2002-02-25 2013-11-19 C. S. Lee Crawford Method of managing and communicating data pertaining to software applications for processor-based devices comprising wireless communication circuitry
US20030187755A1 (en) * 2002-04-01 2003-10-02 Kamal Acharya Method and system for providing portable shopping information
US7124098B2 (en) * 2002-10-07 2006-10-17 The Kroger Company Online shopping system
US20040162765A1 (en) * 2003-02-19 2004-08-19 Hobie Reber System and a method for locating an item offered for sale by a merchant
US7555722B2 (en) * 2003-03-31 2009-06-30 Microsoft Corporation Dynamic link control object for dynamically presenting link options in connection with a content management server system
US7346555B2 (en) 2003-06-27 2008-03-18 Jan Rippingale Method and apparatus for client-in-charge business transaction processing
US9092262B2 (en) 2003-06-27 2015-07-28 I-Rescue Technologies Llc Method and apparatus integrating navigation and saving the writable state of applications
US20050038719A1 (en) * 2003-08-12 2005-02-17 Young Miranda B. System and method for suggesting goods and services based on inventory information
US7263500B2 (en) * 2003-08-22 2007-08-28 Indyme Electronics, Inc. System, method, and device for graphically locating merchandise
US20050049920A1 (en) * 2003-08-29 2005-03-03 Robin Day System for tracking nutritional content of food purchases
US8554611B2 (en) * 2003-09-11 2013-10-08 Catalina Marketing Corporation Method and system for electronic delivery of incentive information based on user proximity
US20060004631A1 (en) 2003-09-11 2006-01-05 Roberts Gregory B Method and system for generating real-time directions associated with product promotions
US8583475B2 (en) * 2003-09-11 2013-11-12 Catalina Marketing Corporation Method and system for generating intelligent electronic banners based on user information
US8484076B2 (en) 2003-09-11 2013-07-09 Catalina Marketing Corporation Proximity-based method and system for generating customized incentives
US8620732B2 (en) * 2003-09-11 2013-12-31 Catalina Marketing Corporation Method and system for presenting banners having direct link to user profile information
US8301494B2 (en) * 2003-09-11 2012-10-30 Catalina Marketing Corporation Method and system for managing inventory and promotions campaign based on redemption data
US8620733B2 (en) 2003-09-11 2013-12-31 Catalina Marketing Corporation Method and system for electronic distribution of incentives having real-time consumer-based directions
US20050075940A1 (en) * 2003-10-06 2005-04-07 Deangelis Lawrence J. Remote shopping system with integrated product specific advertising
US20050165649A1 (en) * 2004-01-22 2005-07-28 International Business Machines Corporation Accessible shopping guide for retail business
US20050216416A1 (en) * 2004-03-29 2005-09-29 Carl Abrams Business method for the determination of the best known value and best known value available for security and customer information as applied to reference data
JP4958769B2 (en) * 2004-04-29 2012-06-20 ノキア コーポレイション Remote electronic trading
US20100081375A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 Apple Inc. System and method for simplified control of electronic devices
US20060064347A1 (en) * 2004-09-17 2006-03-23 Hometown Info, Inc. Product information search, linking and distribution system
US20070141540A1 (en) * 2004-09-30 2007-06-21 Cargill, Incorporated Recipe generating methods and systems
CA2524037A1 (en) * 2004-11-01 2006-05-01 John Scott System and method for providing optimized shopping list
US20060095325A1 (en) * 2004-11-04 2006-05-04 Bell Kevin H Method and system for tracking purchasing habits
US20060136296A1 (en) * 2004-11-22 2006-06-22 Amada Andrew R System and method for providing direct marketing opportunities to lottery ticket retailers
WO2006056012A1 (en) * 2004-11-26 2006-06-01 Gregory Joseph Phillips A method and system for assisting consumers
US20060143080A1 (en) * 2004-12-29 2006-06-29 Ashutosh Garg Generating and/or serving dynamic promotional offers such as coupons and advertisements
US7249708B2 (en) * 2005-02-04 2007-07-31 The Procter & Gamble Company Household management systems and methods
US7560636B2 (en) 2005-02-14 2009-07-14 Wolfram Research, Inc. Method and system for generating signaling tone sequences
US20100030619A1 (en) * 2005-02-24 2010-02-04 Dolphin Software Ltd. System and method for computerized analyses of shopping basket parameters
AU2006217437A1 (en) * 2005-02-24 2006-08-31 Dolphin Software Ltd. System and method for computerized ordering
US7353034B2 (en) 2005-04-04 2008-04-01 X One, Inc. Location sharing and tracking using mobile phones or other wireless devices
US20060242011A1 (en) * 2005-04-21 2006-10-26 International Business Machines Corporation Method and system for automatic, customer-specific purchasing preferences and patterns of complementary products
JP2008539492A (en) * 2005-04-29 2008-11-13 スプリングボード リテール ネットワークス ライセンシング エスアールエル User information management system and method via network
US8152062B2 (en) * 2005-04-29 2012-04-10 Mercatus Technologies Inc. Portable information terminal mountable on shopping cart and removable memory device usable with same
US20110143731A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2011-06-16 Jorey Ramer Mobile Communication Facility Usage Pattern Geographic Based Advertising
US20070061303A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2007-03-15 Jorey Ramer Mobile search result clustering
US9703892B2 (en) 2005-09-14 2017-07-11 Millennial Media Llc Predictive text completion for a mobile communication facility
US10911894B2 (en) 2005-09-14 2021-02-02 Verizon Media Inc. Use of dynamic content generation parameters based on previous performance of those parameters
US20070118533A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2007-05-24 Jorey Ramer On-off handset search box
US8660891B2 (en) 2005-11-01 2014-02-25 Millennial Media Interactive mobile advertisement banners
US9471925B2 (en) * 2005-09-14 2016-10-18 Millennial Media Llc Increasing mobile interactivity
US7577665B2 (en) * 2005-09-14 2009-08-18 Jumptap, Inc. User characteristic influenced search results
US9201979B2 (en) * 2005-09-14 2015-12-01 Millennial Media, Inc. Syndication of a behavioral profile associated with an availability condition using a monetization platform
US20070100806A1 (en) * 2005-11-01 2007-05-03 Jorey Ramer Client libraries for mobile content
US8615719B2 (en) * 2005-09-14 2013-12-24 Jumptap, Inc. Managing sponsored content for delivery to mobile communication facilities
US8989718B2 (en) * 2005-09-14 2015-03-24 Millennial Media, Inc. Idle screen advertising
US20070061211A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2007-03-15 Jorey Ramer Preventing mobile communication facility click fraud
US8195133B2 (en) * 2005-09-14 2012-06-05 Jumptap, Inc. Mobile dynamic advertisement creation and placement
US20080242279A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2008-10-02 Jorey Ramer Behavior-based mobile content placement on a mobile communication facility
US9076175B2 (en) * 2005-09-14 2015-07-07 Millennial Media, Inc. Mobile comparison shopping
US20090240568A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2009-09-24 Jorey Ramer Aggregation and enrichment of behavioral profile data using a monetization platform
US10038756B2 (en) * 2005-09-14 2018-07-31 Millenial Media LLC Managing sponsored content based on device characteristics
US20070061317A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2007-03-15 Jorey Ramer Mobile search substring query completion
US8532633B2 (en) 2005-09-14 2013-09-10 Jumptap, Inc. System for targeting advertising content to a plurality of mobile communication facilities
US8027879B2 (en) * 2005-11-05 2011-09-27 Jumptap, Inc. Exclusivity bidding for mobile sponsored content
US20090234861A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2009-09-17 Jorey Ramer Using mobile application data within a monetization platform
US7912458B2 (en) 2005-09-14 2011-03-22 Jumptap, Inc. Interaction analysis and prioritization of mobile content
US7860871B2 (en) * 2005-09-14 2010-12-28 Jumptap, Inc. User history influenced search results
US8290810B2 (en) * 2005-09-14 2012-10-16 Jumptap, Inc. Realtime surveying within mobile sponsored content
US20110313853A1 (en) 2005-09-14 2011-12-22 Jorey Ramer System for targeting advertising content to a plurality of mobile communication facilities
US20110143733A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2011-06-16 Jorey Ramer Use Of Dynamic Content Generation Parameters Based On Previous Performance Of Those Parameters
US20070061247A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2007-03-15 Jorey Ramer Expected value and prioritization of mobile content
US8229914B2 (en) 2005-09-14 2012-07-24 Jumptap, Inc. Mobile content spidering and compatibility determination
US20100312572A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2010-12-09 Jump Tap, Inc. Presentation of Interactive Mobile Sponsor Content
US20070061242A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2007-03-15 Jorey Ramer Implicit searching for mobile content
US8156128B2 (en) * 2005-09-14 2012-04-10 Jumptap, Inc. Contextual mobile content placement on a mobile communication facility
US8666376B2 (en) * 2005-09-14 2014-03-04 Millennial Media Location based mobile shopping affinity program
US8832100B2 (en) * 2005-09-14 2014-09-09 Millennial Media, Inc. User transaction history influenced search results
US7702318B2 (en) 2005-09-14 2010-04-20 Jumptap, Inc. Presentation of sponsored content based on mobile transaction event
US7548915B2 (en) * 2005-09-14 2009-06-16 Jorey Ramer Contextual mobile content placement on a mobile communication facility
US20090029687A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2009-01-29 Jorey Ramer Combining mobile and transcoded content in a mobile search result
US20070060114A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2007-03-15 Jorey Ramer Predictive text completion for a mobile communication facility
US20080214151A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2008-09-04 Jorey Ramer Methods and systems for mobile coupon placement
US10592930B2 (en) * 2005-09-14 2020-03-17 Millenial Media, LLC Syndication of a behavioral profile using a monetization platform
US20070061245A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2007-03-15 Jorey Ramer Location based presentation of mobile content
US20070100652A1 (en) * 2005-11-01 2007-05-03 Jorey Ramer Mobile pay per call
US20070073722A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2007-03-29 Jorey Ramer Calculation and presentation of mobile content expected value
US8302030B2 (en) 2005-09-14 2012-10-30 Jumptap, Inc. Management of multiple advertising inventories using a monetization platform
US8364540B2 (en) 2005-09-14 2013-01-29 Jumptap, Inc. Contextual targeting of content using a monetization platform
US20090234711A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2009-09-17 Jorey Ramer Aggregation of behavioral profile data using a monetization platform
US8103545B2 (en) 2005-09-14 2012-01-24 Jumptap, Inc. Managing payment for sponsored content presented to mobile communication facilities
US7769764B2 (en) * 2005-09-14 2010-08-03 Jumptap, Inc. Mobile advertisement syndication
US20080214204A1 (en) * 2005-11-01 2008-09-04 Jorey Ramer Similarity based location mapping of mobile comm facility users
US20070061334A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2007-03-15 Jorey Ramer Search query address redirection on a mobile communication facility
US20070288427A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2007-12-13 Jorey Ramer Mobile pay-per-call campaign creation
US9058406B2 (en) 2005-09-14 2015-06-16 Millennial Media, Inc. Management of multiple advertising inventories using a monetization platform
US20080215429A1 (en) * 2005-11-01 2008-09-04 Jorey Ramer Using a mobile communication facility for offline ad searching
US20080214148A1 (en) * 2005-11-05 2008-09-04 Jorey Ramer Targeting mobile sponsored content within a social network
US8238888B2 (en) 2006-09-13 2012-08-07 Jumptap, Inc. Methods and systems for mobile coupon placement
US20070060173A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2007-03-15 Jorey Ramer Managing sponsored content based on transaction history
US20080214154A1 (en) * 2005-11-01 2008-09-04 Jorey Ramer Associating mobile and non mobile web content
US20070061198A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2007-03-15 Jorey Ramer Mobile pay-per-call campaign creation
US20070192318A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2007-08-16 Jorey Ramer Creation of a mobile search suggestion dictionary
US20070073717A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2007-03-29 Jorey Ramer Mobile comparison shopping
US20080215557A1 (en) * 2005-11-05 2008-09-04 Jorey Ramer Methods and systems of mobile query classification
US20070061246A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2007-03-15 Jorey Ramer Mobile campaign creation
US8805339B2 (en) 2005-09-14 2014-08-12 Millennial Media, Inc. Categorization of a mobile user profile based on browse and viewing behavior
US8131271B2 (en) * 2005-11-05 2012-03-06 Jumptap, Inc. Categorization of a mobile user profile based on browse behavior
US20120066057A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2012-03-15 Jorey Ramer System for targeting advertising content to a plurality of mobile communication facilities
US8812526B2 (en) 2005-09-14 2014-08-19 Millennial Media, Inc. Mobile content cross-inventory yield optimization
US8688671B2 (en) 2005-09-14 2014-04-01 Millennial Media Managing sponsored content based on geographic region
US20070239724A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2007-10-11 Jorey Ramer Mobile search services related to direct identifiers
US20080214149A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2008-09-04 Jorey Ramer Using wireless carrier data to influence mobile search results
US8311888B2 (en) * 2005-09-14 2012-11-13 Jumptap, Inc. Revenue models associated with syndication of a behavioral profile using a monetization platform
US8209344B2 (en) 2005-09-14 2012-06-26 Jumptap, Inc. Embedding sponsored content in mobile applications
US8364521B2 (en) * 2005-09-14 2013-01-29 Jumptap, Inc. Rendering targeted advertisement on mobile communication facilities
US20070100653A1 (en) * 2005-11-01 2007-05-03 Jorey Ramer Mobile website analyzer
US8819659B2 (en) 2005-09-14 2014-08-26 Millennial Media, Inc. Mobile search service instant activation
US20080270220A1 (en) * 2005-11-05 2008-10-30 Jorey Ramer Embedding a nonsponsored mobile content within a sponsored mobile content
US7660581B2 (en) * 2005-09-14 2010-02-09 Jumptap, Inc. Managing sponsored content based on usage history
US20070073718A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2007-03-29 Jorey Ramer Mobile search service instant activation
US8503995B2 (en) 2005-09-14 2013-08-06 Jumptap, Inc. Mobile dynamic advertisement creation and placement
US20090234745A1 (en) * 2005-11-05 2009-09-17 Jorey Ramer Methods and systems for mobile coupon tracking
US7752209B2 (en) 2005-09-14 2010-07-06 Jumptap, Inc. Presenting sponsored content on a mobile communication facility
US20080215623A1 (en) * 2005-09-14 2008-09-04 Jorey Ramer Mobile communication facility usage and social network creation
US20080214155A1 (en) * 2005-11-01 2008-09-04 Jorey Ramer Integrating subscription content into mobile search results
US7676394B2 (en) * 2005-09-14 2010-03-09 Jumptap, Inc. Dynamic bidding and expected value
US20070067259A1 (en) * 2005-09-16 2007-03-22 Brindisi Richard G System and method for automated compiling and generating item list information
US20110047162A1 (en) * 2005-09-16 2011-02-24 Brindisi Richard G Handheld device and kiosk system for automated compiling and generating item list information
US20070107016A1 (en) * 2005-11-04 2007-05-10 Angel Albert J Interactive Multiple Channel User Enrollment, Purchase Confirmation Transactional System with Fulfillment Response Feature for Video On Demand Cable Systems
US8175585B2 (en) 2005-11-05 2012-05-08 Jumptap, Inc. System for targeting advertising content to a plurality of mobile communication facilities
US8571999B2 (en) 2005-11-14 2013-10-29 C. S. Lee Crawford Method of conducting operations for a social network application including activity list generation
US20100285818A1 (en) * 2009-05-08 2010-11-11 Crawford C S Lee Location based service for directing ads to subscribers
US20100121705A1 (en) * 2005-11-14 2010-05-13 Jumptap, Inc. Presentation of Sponsored Content Based on Device Characteristics
US7933895B2 (en) * 2006-01-13 2011-04-26 Catalina Marketing Corporation Coupon and internet search method and system with mapping engine
US20070179801A1 (en) * 2006-01-17 2007-08-02 Marvin Yakos Computer System and Process of Accounting for Sponsored Websites
US8145544B2 (en) * 2006-03-08 2012-03-27 Guiherme N. Leal Method and system for demand and supply map/shopping path model graphical platform and supplying offers based on purchase intentions
US9064226B2 (en) 2006-08-01 2015-06-23 Matthew S. Waller System and method for order fulfillment
US7908175B2 (en) * 2006-08-29 2011-03-15 At&T Intellectual Property I, Lp Methods, systems, and computer program products that facilitate and enhance personal shopping
EP2062216A4 (en) * 2006-09-11 2013-01-02 Catalina Marketing Corp System and method for providing secure electronic coupons to wireless access point users
US20080133724A1 (en) * 2006-11-30 2008-06-05 Clark Bryan W Integrated grocery selection and delivery based on queued recipes
US20080154716A1 (en) * 2006-12-21 2008-06-26 David Meazoa Consolidated digital direct advertising and advertisement distribution
US7886964B2 (en) * 2007-04-17 2011-02-15 Steinecker Jeffrey T System and method for personalized e-commerce
US20080281714A1 (en) * 2007-05-09 2008-11-13 Kluth Scott E System and method for determining a price of goods
BRPI0702802A2 (en) * 2007-06-19 2009-07-14 Silvio Mauad Supermarket and retailer general price comparison system in real time
US8826157B2 (en) * 2007-08-31 2014-09-02 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. System and method to generate a shopping cart list
US20090083327A1 (en) * 2007-09-26 2009-03-26 Ringham Nicole A Digital recipe box
US20090119253A1 (en) * 2007-11-05 2009-05-07 Davi Piala Dos Santos Introduced in Website's Price and other Market Search System
US10346854B2 (en) * 2007-11-30 2019-07-09 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Feature-value attachment, reranking and filtering for advertisements
US20090177558A1 (en) * 2008-01-09 2009-07-09 Robert Sohrab Showghi Methods and apparatus for wireless interactive guided shopping
US8799814B1 (en) 2008-02-22 2014-08-05 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Automated targeting of content components
US20090241065A1 (en) * 2008-03-18 2009-09-24 Cuill, Inc. Apparatus and method for displaying search results with various forms of advertising
US20090254446A1 (en) * 2008-04-03 2009-10-08 Valentin Chernyak Household shopping programming assistant system and methods
US20090271270A1 (en) * 2008-04-24 2009-10-29 Igcsystems, Inc. Managing lists of promotional offers
US20090299875A1 (en) * 2008-05-30 2009-12-03 Microsoft Corporation System to facilitate online shopping
US9626363B2 (en) 2008-06-08 2017-04-18 Apple Inc. System and method for placeshifting media playback
US11258652B2 (en) 2008-06-08 2022-02-22 Apple Inc. System and method for placeshifting media playback
US8516125B2 (en) 2008-06-08 2013-08-20 Apple Inc. System and method for simplified data transfer
US9704161B1 (en) 2008-06-27 2017-07-11 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Providing information without authentication
US8788945B1 (en) 2008-06-30 2014-07-22 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Automatic approval
US9449319B1 (en) 2008-06-30 2016-09-20 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Conducting transactions with dynamic passwords
US8224707B1 (en) 2008-08-20 2012-07-17 United Services Automobile Association Social network for shopping
US20100082485A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 Apple Inc. Portable point of purchase devices and methods
US9037513B2 (en) * 2008-09-30 2015-05-19 Apple Inc. System and method for providing electronic event tickets
US20100082445A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 Apple Inc. Smart menu options
US7959065B2 (en) * 2008-09-30 2011-06-14 Apple Inc. Custom content gift cards
US8526885B2 (en) 2008-09-30 2013-09-03 Apple Inc Peer-to-peer host station
US10380573B2 (en) * 2008-09-30 2019-08-13 Apple Inc. Peer-to-peer financial transaction devices and methods
US20100082455A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 Apple Inc. Real-time bargain hunting
US20100078472A1 (en) 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 Apple Inc. Group peer-to-peer financial transactions
US8060627B2 (en) * 2008-09-30 2011-11-15 Apple Inc. Device-to-device workflows
US8215546B2 (en) * 2008-09-30 2012-07-10 Apple Inc. System and method for transportation check-in
US9070149B2 (en) * 2008-09-30 2015-06-30 Apple Inc. Media gifting devices and methods
US8131645B2 (en) * 2008-09-30 2012-03-06 Apple Inc. System and method for processing media gifts
US9026462B2 (en) * 2008-09-30 2015-05-05 Apple Inc. Portable point of purchase user interfaces
US8850052B2 (en) * 2008-09-30 2014-09-30 Apple Inc. System and method for simplified resource sharing
US20100080201A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 Apple Inc. Wi-Fi broadcast of links
US20100078471A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 Apple Inc. System and method for processing peer-to-peer financial transactions
US8239276B2 (en) * 2008-09-30 2012-08-07 Apple Inc. On-the-go shopping list
US20100082490A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2010-04-01 Apple Inc. Systems and methods for secure wireless transactions
US20100088193A1 (en) * 2008-10-08 2010-04-08 White Phillip A Method And Apparatus For Facilitating Purchase Decisions
US8918355B2 (en) 2008-11-10 2014-12-23 Mercatus Technologies Inc. Determining a meal and/or meal plan
US7801774B2 (en) * 2008-11-21 2010-09-21 At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. System, computer-readable storage medium, device, and method for managing grocery shopping
US20100153201A1 (en) * 2008-12-15 2010-06-17 Corbin De Rubertis System and method for providing food and grocery multi-media content to consumers using widgets
US20100153209A1 (en) * 2008-12-15 2010-06-17 De Rubertis Corbin P System and method for calculating candidate recipes for consumers using widgets based on consumer target data
US20100179889A1 (en) * 2009-01-09 2010-07-15 Aisle Express, Llc Methods, systems, and computer programs for providing shopping assistance to consumers
JP4486155B1 (en) * 2009-03-24 2010-06-23 尚士 橋本 Cooking support system, program, recording medium, and method for supporting stocking and inventory management of cooking ingredients
US20100312672A1 (en) * 2009-06-04 2010-12-09 Lella R Andrew Electric restaurant marketplace
US9460422B2 (en) * 2009-11-20 2016-10-04 Sears Brands, L.L.C. Systems and methods for managing to-do list task items to automatically suggest and add purchasing items via a computer network
US20110166881A1 (en) * 2010-01-07 2011-07-07 Paul Eugene Brazzo Method and system for generating food recommendations
US20120084122A1 (en) * 2010-10-01 2012-04-05 Jason Boehle Coupon integration with shopping lists
US8818876B2 (en) 2010-12-08 2014-08-26 Sears Brands, L.L.C. System and method for facilitating the purchase of products determined to be useful in the performance of a task
US9165320B1 (en) 2011-06-10 2015-10-20 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Automatic item selection and ordering based on recipe
US20120329012A1 (en) * 2011-06-27 2012-12-27 Remund Twila M Labeling System and Method to Improve Food Selection within a Retail Environment
US20130013195A1 (en) * 2011-07-07 2013-01-10 International Business Machines Corporation Optimum Route Generation Based on Common Purchase Plan of Different Travelers
US20130046619A1 (en) * 2011-08-15 2013-02-21 Daniel Alberto TRANSLATEUR System and method for targeted advertising
US9144008B2 (en) 2012-01-15 2015-09-22 Google Inc. Providing hotspots to user devices within server-controlled zones
US20150120414A1 (en) * 2012-04-19 2015-04-30 Small Potatoes Urban Delivery Inc. Method and system for on-line sale of goods and services using influencer hosting sites
US11284251B2 (en) 2012-06-11 2022-03-22 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Mobile device and control method thereof
KR102071692B1 (en) * 2012-06-11 2020-01-31 삼성전자주식회사 Mobile device and control method thereof
EP3379441B1 (en) 2012-06-11 2019-12-18 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Mobile device and control method thereof
US9691088B2 (en) 2012-08-24 2017-06-27 Google Inc. Ordering ahead with a mobile device
US20140067564A1 (en) 2012-08-30 2014-03-06 Ebay Inc. Shopping list creator and optimizer
US9104838B2 (en) 2012-11-14 2015-08-11 Google Inc. Client token storage for cross-site request forgery protection
US10290012B2 (en) * 2012-11-28 2019-05-14 Home Depot Product Authority, Llc System and method for price testing and optimization
JP6317062B2 (en) * 2012-12-25 2018-04-25 ソニー株式会社 Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer program
US9953359B2 (en) 2013-01-29 2018-04-24 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Cooperative execution of an electronic shopping list
US9098871B2 (en) 2013-01-31 2015-08-04 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Method and system for automatically managing an electronic shopping list
US9341479B2 (en) 2013-03-05 2016-05-17 Google Inc. Configurable point of interest alerts
US8755824B1 (en) 2013-06-28 2014-06-17 Google Inc. Clustering geofence-based alerts for mobile devices
US9589535B2 (en) 2013-07-19 2017-03-07 Paypal, Inc. Social mobile game for recommending items
US9519928B2 (en) 2013-07-29 2016-12-13 Bank Of American Corporation Product evaluation based on electronic receipt data
US9600839B2 (en) 2013-07-29 2017-03-21 Bank Of America Corporation Price evaluation based on electronic receipt data
US9773018B2 (en) 2013-08-13 2017-09-26 Ebay Inc. Mapping item categories to ambiguous queries by geo-location
US20150142543A1 (en) * 2013-11-19 2015-05-21 News America Marketing Properties, Llc Smart source direct coupon delivery and processing
US9986375B2 (en) 2014-02-12 2018-05-29 Google Llc Energy-efficient location determination
JP2015176414A (en) * 2014-03-17 2015-10-05 セイコーエプソン株式会社 Nutrition analysis system and nutrition analysis program
US20150302424A1 (en) * 2014-04-18 2015-10-22 Mavatar Technologies, Inc. Systems and methods for providing content provider-driven shopping
US11308544B2 (en) 2014-09-26 2022-04-19 Monjeri Investments, Llc System and method to generate shoppable content and increase advertising revenue in social networking using contextual advertising
US9489470B1 (en) * 2015-01-26 2016-11-08 Content Analytics, Inc. System and method for generating content comparison reports
KR20180053635A (en) * 2015-06-17 2018-05-23 인터내셔널 박시즈 에스.알.엘. Method and computer system for virtually displaying an image of a carton box
CA2993010C (en) 2015-07-20 2019-06-04 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Analyzing user access of media for meal plans
CN106910083A (en) * 2015-12-23 2017-06-30 阿里巴巴集团控股有限公司 The method and device of commodity object information is provided
JP6637768B2 (en) * 2016-01-15 2020-01-29 東芝テック株式会社 Shopping support server and its program
KR20170110824A (en) * 2016-03-24 2017-10-12 삼성전자주식회사 Display apparatus and the control method thereof
US20170287053A1 (en) * 2016-04-01 2017-10-05 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Methods and Systems for Remote Shopping
EP4113417A1 (en) * 2016-04-15 2023-01-04 Ubamarket Ltd Shopping method and system
US10943139B2 (en) 2016-11-30 2021-03-09 Zollo Social Shopping Ltd. System and method for extracting information from a receipt
TW201837816A (en) * 2017-04-12 2018-10-16 陳永晏 Website shopping system and shopping method thereof
US10524165B2 (en) 2017-06-22 2019-12-31 Bank Of America Corporation Dynamic utilization of alternative resources based on token association
US10511692B2 (en) 2017-06-22 2019-12-17 Bank Of America Corporation Data transmission to a networked resource based on contextual information
US10313480B2 (en) 2017-06-22 2019-06-04 Bank Of America Corporation Data transmission between networked resources
US20190108287A1 (en) * 2017-10-11 2019-04-11 NutriStyle Inc Menu generation system tying healthcare to grocery shopping
US10621655B1 (en) * 2018-10-10 2020-04-14 Capital One Services, Llc Systems and methods for SMS e-commerce assistant
US20200118461A1 (en) * 2018-10-10 2020-04-16 Grace Choi System and method for culinary gamification
US11568357B2 (en) 2020-05-26 2023-01-31 Greenline, Llc Systems and methods of validating data entry and generating error flags using artificial intelligence
US20210374789A1 (en) * 2020-05-26 2021-12-02 Greenline, Llc Systems and methods of implementing at reseller flexible and customizable architecture of transaction level security, authentication and digital verification of coupons that is customer-centric

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5848399A (en) * 1993-11-30 1998-12-08 Burke; Raymond R. Computer system for allowing a consumer to purchase packaged goods at home
US5884281A (en) * 1995-09-19 1999-03-16 Smith; Samuel Bernard Electronic grocery lister
US6246998B1 (en) * 1999-02-25 2001-06-12 Fujitsu Limited System and method for home grocery shopping including item categorization for efficient delivery and pick-up
US6249773B1 (en) * 1998-03-26 2001-06-19 International Business Machines Corp. Electronic commerce with shopping list builder
US6381583B1 (en) * 1997-04-15 2002-04-30 John A. Kenney Interactive electronic shopping system and method

Family Cites Families (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4703423A (en) * 1984-07-10 1987-10-27 Recipe Terminal Corporation Apparatus and method for generation of brand name specific advertising media
US4703421A (en) * 1986-01-03 1987-10-27 Gte Communication Systems Corporation Ready line synchronization circuit for use in a duplicated computer system
US5424524A (en) 1993-06-24 1995-06-13 Ruppert; Jonathan P. Personal scanner/computer for displaying shopping lists and scanning barcodes to aid shoppers
US5950173A (en) 1996-10-25 1999-09-07 Ipf, Inc. System and method for delivering consumer product related information to consumers within retail environments using internet-based information servers and sales agents
US5870716A (en) 1994-10-06 1999-02-09 Hitachi, Ltd. Home terminal and shopping system
US5664110A (en) 1994-12-08 1997-09-02 Highpoint Systems, Inc. Remote ordering system
US6035280A (en) 1995-06-16 2000-03-07 Christensen; Scott N. Electronic discount couponing method and apparatus for generating an electronic list of coupons
US5710887A (en) 1995-08-29 1998-01-20 Broadvision Computer system and method for electronic commerce
JPH09231274A (en) 1996-02-26 1997-09-05 Fujitsu Ltd Retrieval server system
US5918211A (en) * 1996-05-30 1999-06-29 Retail Multimedia Corporation Method and apparatus for promoting products and influencing consumer purchasing decisions at the point-of-purchase
US6434530B1 (en) * 1996-05-30 2002-08-13 Retail Multimedia Corporation Interactive shopping system with mobile apparatus
US6125352A (en) 1996-06-28 2000-09-26 Microsoft Corporation System and method for conducting commerce over a distributed network
US6513017B1 (en) * 1997-04-14 2003-01-28 Electronic Data Systems Corporation System and method for household grocery management
US6055513A (en) 1998-03-11 2000-04-25 Telebuyer, Llc Methods and apparatus for intelligent selection of goods and services in telephonic and electronic commerce
US7302429B1 (en) * 1999-04-11 2007-11-27 William Paul Wanker Customizable electronic commerce comparison system and method
US6615184B1 (en) * 2000-01-04 2003-09-02 Mitzi Hicks System and method for providing customers seeking a product or service at a specified discount in a specified geographic area with information as to suppliers offering the same
US7103566B2 (en) * 2000-02-23 2006-09-05 Lucent Technologies Inc. Applications of executable shopping lists
US20020178088A1 (en) * 2000-03-08 2002-11-28 Lurie Leib A. System and method for facilitating shopping
US7613634B2 (en) * 2000-12-21 2009-11-03 Sony Corporation Method and system for performing electronic retailing
US6676014B2 (en) * 2001-03-31 2004-01-13 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Machine readable label system with offline capture and processing
US20030171944A1 (en) * 2001-05-31 2003-09-11 Fine Randall A. Methods and apparatus for personalized, interactive shopping
US20050097003A1 (en) * 2003-10-06 2005-05-05 Linker Jon J. Retrieving and formatting information

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5848399A (en) * 1993-11-30 1998-12-08 Burke; Raymond R. Computer system for allowing a consumer to purchase packaged goods at home
US6304855B1 (en) * 1993-11-30 2001-10-16 Raymond R. Burke Computer system for allowing a consumer to purchase packaged goods at home
US5884281A (en) * 1995-09-19 1999-03-16 Smith; Samuel Bernard Electronic grocery lister
US6381583B1 (en) * 1997-04-15 2002-04-30 John A. Kenney Interactive electronic shopping system and method
US6249773B1 (en) * 1998-03-26 2001-06-19 International Business Machines Corp. Electronic commerce with shopping list builder
US6246998B1 (en) * 1999-02-25 2001-06-12 Fujitsu Limited System and method for home grocery shopping including item categorization for efficient delivery and pick-up

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of EP1419464A2 *

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140057657A1 (en) * 2004-10-25 2014-02-27 A9.Com, Inc. Displaying location-specific images on a mobile device
US9148753B2 (en) * 2004-10-25 2015-09-29 A9.Com, Inc. Displaying location-specific images on a mobile device
US9852462B2 (en) 2004-10-25 2017-12-26 A9.Com, Inc. Displaying location-specific images on a mobile device
EP2521082A3 (en) * 2011-05-03 2013-02-20 Coupons.com Incorporated Digital coupon clearinghouse

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US8015076B2 (en) 2011-09-06
US7376591B2 (en) 2008-05-20
EP1419464A2 (en) 2004-05-19
WO2002099604A3 (en) 2004-03-25
US20080235096A1 (en) 2008-09-25
CA2452722A1 (en) 2002-12-12
EP1419464A4 (en) 2005-09-28
AU2002312450A1 (en) 2002-12-16
US20030004831A1 (en) 2003-01-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7376591B2 (en) Interactive internet shopping and data integration method and system
US20200320600A1 (en) Virtual Marketplace Enabling Machine-to-Machine Commerce
US7797195B2 (en) Merchant-affiliated direct wholesale marketing and fulfillment system
US6925444B1 (en) System and method for creating and sharing purchasing lists on a network
US6418441B1 (en) Methods and apparatus for disseminating product information via the internet using universal product codes
US7624051B2 (en) Method and system for forming a list-based value discovery network
US20150220979A1 (en) Controlling a Commerce System with Omnipresent Marketing
KR100329388B1 (en) System and method for building customized shopping malls
US20020010623A1 (en) System and method for publishing, distributing and redeeming coupons on a network
US7726563B2 (en) System and method for providing optimized shopping list
US20150379601A1 (en) Commerce System and Method of Deferring Purchases to Optimize Purchase Conditions
US20150324882A1 (en) Commerce System and Method of Providing Shopping Agents and Sales Agents for Managing Purchasing Decisions
US20020072968A1 (en) System and method for incentivizing online sales
US20150324828A1 (en) Commerce System and Method of Providing Communication Between Publishers and Intelligent Personal Agents
US20100153209A1 (en) System and method for calculating candidate recipes for consumers using widgets based on consumer target data
AU2002232534A1 (en) System and method for incentivizing online sales
US20040143516A1 (en) System for allowing vendors to manage product information in a database system
US20080004891A1 (en) Product Information System
US20060218048A1 (en) Computer system, server, and method for supporting cooking, and computer program generator
JP2004503012A (en) Method and system for generating an individual shopping list
KR100306658B1 (en) Purchaser-oriented electronic commerce method
WO2001002926A2 (en) Ready listed electronic commerce system and method
JP2002312452A (en) Menu development support system, menu development support method and menu development support program
JP2001291018A (en) Merchandise sales system using network and method therefor
JP2004021622A (en) Purchase system, method, and program based on comparison of commodity price

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ OM PH PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZM ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2452722

Country of ref document: CA

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2002739824

Country of ref document: EP

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 2002739824

Country of ref document: EP

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Country of ref document: JP